The long struggle to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day
While MLK Day, on the third Monday of every January, is now a time-honored tradition, the establishment of the holiday had a prolonged, difficult path to acceptance.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. He chose that location in part to honor President Abraham Lincoln as “a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today.” Now, millions of people honor King in the same way.
On the third Monday of January — close to King’s Jan. 15 birthday — federal, state and local governments, institutions and various industries recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For some, the holiday is just that — time off from work or school. But, King’s family and others carrying on his legacy of equality, justice and non-violent protest want Americans to remember that this holiday is really about helping others.
While it is now a time-honored tradition, the establishment of the holiday had a prolonged, difficult path to acceptance.
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