Next Monday, January 15th, schools take a day off and the banks are closed, but why? The reason is because of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential figure that led the civil rights movement, and fought for peace.
President Ronald Reagan made this a holiday in 1983, yet it was never first observed until January 20th, 1986. This year marks the 24th anniversary of MLK day, being observed by all 50 states.
“The holiday was meant to remember King, and the just cause he stood for. America is a more Democratic Nation, a more just Nation, a more peaceful Nation, because Martin Luther King Jr. became her pre-eminent non-violent commander,” Reagan said in 1983, Aljazeera.com said.
To many people this is just a day off school, but MLK day symbolizes more than just a day of relaxation. It honors King’s legacy and the hours he spent fighting to tear down the separate, but equal stigma. King wanted the world to see that white Americans and African Americans can hold hands in peace, and harmony. Thus, the reason he has a full day of commemoration.
“I think of this day as a time to think of how far we’ve come as a society, and a reminder of the changes we still need to make, to create a better future for everyone,” Senior Haley Cannavan said.
One of the turning points in the civil rights movement, led by King, was the 1963 March on Washington. This march pressured the Kennedy administration to present a lethal civil right bill in Congress. After the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, African American citizens were ensured the power to represent themselves in government. Meaning, African Americans could vote freely without constriction, and making it easier to become seated government officials.
“The March on Washington teaches us that we are not trapped by the mistakes of history; that we are masters of our fate. But it also teaches us that the promise of this nation will only be kept when we work together,” Former President Barack Obama said.
After the March on Washington, King got up in front of an estimated 250,000 people in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and made his famous I Have A Dream speech. Although this speech was given almost 61 years ago, its message still holds true, even today. The speech reiterated the long history of racial injustice in the U.S., and had an encouraging angle on how Americans must be held accountable to their Constitutional promises of freedom, justice and equality.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream that one day right here in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls as sisters and brothers,” Martin Luther King Jr. said.
On the evening of April 4th, 1968, Luther was fatally shot as he stood on the balcony of his hotel room. He was sadly pronounced dead at St. Joseph Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, later that night. The world was devastated by the loss of such an influential, powerful and inspiring leader. Although King died, all his hard work was not in vain. The effort he put into equality among Americans during the 60s, is reflected in all the improvements made by his predecessors. Lastly, MLK day represents a beacon of hope for future generations to have full equality for all races, religions, and genders.
