No Celebration Without Legislation
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the third Monday of January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Americans celebrated the first official Martin Luther King Day, which is the only federal holiday commemorating an African American, on Monday, January 20, 1986. In 1994, Congress designated the holiday as a National Day of Service – a “Day On, Not a Day Off” to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, and to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
The family of Martin Luther King, Jr. will be commemorating Martin Luther King Day on Monday January 17th with a march to Washington in support of voting rights for all Americans. The theme of the march is “No Celebration Without Legislation”.
Dr. King advocated in support of nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice as a means of lifting racial oppression. He created change with organized sit-ins, marches, and peaceful demonstrations that highlighted issues of inequality. Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was the youngest person to ever receive this high honor and donated the proceeds totaling $54,600 to the Civil Rights Movement. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and father by becoming a Baptist minister. In Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968, at the age of 39, Dr. King was assassinated as he stood on the balcony of his hotel. Dr. King was in Memphis to lead a march in support of striking sanitation workers.
States are not required to observe any federal holiday. The day was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. Alabama and Mississippi state calendars list, a joint “King-Lee” day. The birthdays of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert E. Lee are four days apart in January.
Honor Dr. King’s memory by organizing, volunteering, and spreading the word. Remember to MAKE IT A DAY ON, NOT A DAY OFF, for you and those around you.