Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, or MLK Day, falls on Monday January 16th this year. MLK Day celebrates the life of the Baptist minister and social activist who played a huge role in the 1950’s Civil Rights movement. King was assassinated in Memphis in 1968.

King sought equality for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged, and victims of, at the time, systematic injustice. King would bring his message of peace and hope to the world through the vehicle of peaceful protest. He influenced key legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act in 1965, and would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his role in social and political movements across the country.

After his assassination, many would go on to work for social equality, inspired by Dr. King and his methods. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a United States federal holiday in honor of King. The holiday would officially be first celebrated in 1986, and remains a day of hope for many.