Today, January 16, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It’s observed every year on the third Monday of January. King, an influential civil rights leader, is remembered and his life and achievements are celebrated on this day.
The concept of a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a holiday was promoted by labor unions. After King’s death, U.S. Representative John Conyers and U.S. Senator Edward Brooke introduced a bill in Congress to make King’s birthday a national holiday. It first came to a vote in the House of Representatives in1979, but failed to pass. The two main arguments against the bill 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, as King never held public office.
The holiday finally made it through Congress during the Regan administration in 1983 and was observed for the first time on January 20, 1986. It’s observed on the third Monday of January rather than on Martin Luther King Jr.’s actual birthday because it follows the guidelines of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
The civil rights leader was given the name Michael King Jr. at birth, but his father changed his own name as well as his son’s to Martin Luther — after the Protestant Reformation leader.
King skipped grades 9 and 12 and enrolled at Morehouse College at the age of 15.
During his lifetime he went to jail 29 times.
King’s tactics and manner of protest were mainly those of civil disobedience, including sit-ins, marches, and disregard for unjust laws. He helped organize rallies, gave speeches across the country, and mobilized thousands of people to help end racial injustice.
Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired millions of people in his lifetime and continues to inspire people today. Today should be more than just a day off, but a time to reflect on civil rights issues across the world.
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