Martin Luther King Day is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of American Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. Though King’s birthday is January 15, under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (June 28, 1968), it is recognized on the third Monday of January. King is widely remembered as the face of the modern Civil Rights Movement. His stirring speeches, successful grassroots campaigns, and enigmatic charisma propelled him and the struggle Black Americans into headlines and American history. His non-violent, top down methods unified Black communities drawing much needed attention to discrimination practices, locally and nationally.
The campaign for a holiday to celebrate the Civil Rights icon began shortly after he was assassinated in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, but was not observed, nationally, until three years later. In keeping with the struggle that he spearheaded, many states were slow to accept the holiday. Some states combined it with other holidays or gave it another name.
In Virginia, it was known as Lee–Jackson–King Day, combining King's birthday with the established Lee–Jackson Day.
In Alabama, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is known as "Robert E. Lee/Martin Luther King Birthday".
In Arizona, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is known as "Martin Luther King, Jr./Civil Rights Day".
In Arkansas, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is known as "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert E. Lee’s Birthdays".
In Idaho, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is known as "Martin Luther King, Jr.-Idaho Human Rights Day".much of
In Mississippi, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is known as "Martin Luther King's and Robert E. Lee's Birthdays".
In New Hampshire, its official name is "Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Day".
It was not celebrated, officially, by all 50 states until 2000.
The Martin Luther King Day of Service was started by former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis. The federal legislation challenges Americans to use the “day off” as a “day on” to do service in the community in honor of Dr. King. The federal legislation was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on August 23, 1994. Since 1996, Todd Bernstein, has been directing the annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service, the largest event in the nation honoring Dr. King.
Several other universities and organizations around the U.S., such as Arizona State University, Greater DC Cares and City Year, participate in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. In honor of MLK, hundreds of Volunteer Centers, and volunteers across the country donate their time to make a difference on this day.
Remember King by servicing your community in honor of a man that did so much for his community.
Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity. Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham
