Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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Federal holiday in the United States

Official name	Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Also called
Observed by	United States
Liturgical color
Type	National
Significance
Celebrations
Observances
Begins

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

History

The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. U.S. Representative John Conyers and U.S. Senator Edward Brooke introduced a bill in Congress to make King's birthday a national holiday. The bill first came to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1979. However, it fell five votes short of the number needed for passage. Two of the main arguments mentioned by opponents were that a paid holiday for federal employees would be too expensive and that a holiday to honor a private citizen would be contrary to longstanding tradition (King had never held public office).

Legislation and Observance

After the bill's defeat, the King Center turned to support from the general public. They enlisted the help of musician Stevie Wonder and organized a petition with six million signatures in favor of the holiday. The success of this strategy led to the bill being passed by Congress in 1983 and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. The holiday was first observed on January 20, 1986.

Initially, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

Significance

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background. King was a prominent leader in the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for nonviolent resistance to racial segregation and discrimination. The holiday is often marked by educational events, community service, and reflections on King's legacy and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

Traditions

Many people celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by participating in community service projects, in line with King's message of social justice and civic action. Schools, businesses, and various organizations often hold events and activities to honor King's contributions to American society.

See also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Rosa Parks
• Selma to Montgomery marches
• I Have a Dream
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

External links

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