Final answer:
Malcolm X was born as Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 19, 1925. He joined the Nation of Islam in prison and became a leading figure in the civil rights movement before being assassinated in 1965.
Step-by-step explanation:
Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. As a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, he experienced discrimination in the Midwest and later, in his adult years, joined the Nation of Islam. During his time in prison, Malcolm became increasingly aware of the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and began his transformative journey into a leading spokesman for the organization. Malcolm's name change to 'X' symbolized a lost ancestral identity due to slavery, one of the many profound changes he underwent as he became an advocate for Black empowerment and self-determination. Despite later leaving the Nation of Islam and softening his stance on interracial cooperation, Malcolm X was ultimately assassinated by members of the Nation in 1965.