Malcolm X was an African American civil rights leader and prominent figure in the Nation of Islam, a religious and political movement. Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, he experienced racial prejudice and violence from a young age, which played a significant role in shaping his advocacy for African Americans' rights. He changed his surname to "X" to represent his lost African ancestry and as a symbol of his rejection of his "slave name." As a minister and national spokesperson for the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X advocated for black empowerment, self-defense, and racial separation rather than integration. He quickly became an influential and polarizing figure due to his eloquent and passionate public speaking. His views evolved after his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964, where he adopted the Sunni Muslim name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and began to speak of racial tolerance and unity. Malcolm X's life ended tragically when he was assassinated on February 21, 1965, in New York City. Posthumously, his autobiography, co-written with Alex Haley and aptly named "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," has become an important literary work and has had a significant impact on the civil rights movement. Malcolm X remains a symbol of resistance and human rights advocacy.