Background
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated annually on the third Monday of January. The holiday was established to honor the civil rights leader's birthday, which is on Jan. 15.
The holiday is recognized as a day of service, honoring King's legacy by encouraging volunteerism for societal betterment and promoting values of equality, justice, and unity.
Notable Events
“I Have a Dream” — Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic speech delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28, 1963.
Montogomery Bus Boycott — Led by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1955-1956, was a key civil rights protest against racial segregation sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat.
Civil Rights Act of 1968 — Outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968, a week after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Books
- I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- I am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer
Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? by Lisbeth Kaiser
