Who knew that a stand for justice would stay alive this long. Who ever thought that a  speech made nearly six decades ago would be remembered by millions. We all know and embrace the being that stood for justice, a man who will forever be remembered as a legendary civil rights leader: Mr. Martin Luther King Jr. We all have heard about his story, but do we really know who he was besides his activism? How have his actions impacted the world we live in today? How does this nation celebrate MLK Day? 

Martin Luther King Jr was an involved individual when it came to civil rights and being part of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In an eleven year time period, between 1957 and 1968, Martin Luther King had traveled over six million miles, gave speeches over twenty-five hundred times, and wrote five books (excluding his numerous articles). He directed a peaceful march in Washington D.C. which consisted of 250,000 people, where he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Martin Luther King at the age of thirty five, was the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and he ended up using the prize money of $54,123 for the civil rights movement.  Although MLK was a symbolic leader for people of color, he was also a world figure.

Martin Luther King Day is dedicated to his birthday which is originally the 15th of January, however, it is marked every year on the third Monday in January. On this day, many people across the nation take it as a day to give back, a day to give service. Similar to what Dr. Martin Boston, an Assistant Professor at California State University, states, “It’s a day on, not a day off.” As schools and federal workplaces close for the day,  many give back to the community. One can volunteer at a local community organization, perform a random act of kindness, or participate in a local celebration event.

To this day, Martin Luther King Jr. is a prominent figure in history when it comes to civil rights. His legacy has left a big impact on the world, and he is still being celebrated nationally. How do you celebrate MLK Day?

For more information:

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1964/king/biographical/

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/martin-luther-king-jr

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day

https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/12/us/iyw-ways-to-serve-on-mlk-day-2022/index.html

https://www.abc10.com/article/news/community/race-and-culture/remembering-rev-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/103-eeef6f0c-15fd-444c-bba1-7a57a9ca32ac#:~:text=service%20those%20people.%E2%80%9D-,Dr.%20Martin%20Luther%20King%2C%20Jr.,ceremonies%2C%20and%20community%20service%20events.