On the third Monday of January every year, the United States observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (MLK Day) as a federal holiday, often resulting in the closure of businesses around the country. Who was and what is the history behind this federal holiday?
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights advocate and influential figure responsible for organizing and leading the first major protest in the 聽In 1955, Dr. King led the , the first large-scale demonstration against segregation in the U.S. After the boycott, support for Dr. King鈥檚 movement grew, eventually leading to the March on Washington, the setting of Dr. King鈥檚 notorious Dr. King was well known for his non-violent approach to activism through civil disobedience and peaceful protests.
Thanks to the efforts of Dr. King and other notable African American Civil Rights leaders, in 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, prohibiting racial segregation in public facilities and racial discrimination in employment and educational settings. Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize that same year, donating the entirety of the prize money to the civil rights movement.聽
Dr. King continued serving as a highly-valued, respected, and outspoken leader constantly advocating for non-violent integration, and economic equality for struggling Americans for several years. On April 4, 1968, after marching for the rights of black sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel.
On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law creating a federal holiday honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the incredible work he did. MLK Day was observed for the first time on January 20, 1986 and has continued ever since.