Martin Luther King Jr. Day | When it is | Why It Is Celebrated?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day –

Why it is celebrated?
When it is?

History       Timeline 

WHEN IS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY In 2023?

Martin Luther King Day is observed every year on the third Monday of January — on January 16 this year. King was an influential civil rights leader — best known for his work on racial equality and ending racial segregation in the United States. 

WHY MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY IS CELEBRATED?

Martin Luther jr. King's, His life and achievements are remembered and celebrated on this day.

HISTORY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

The concept of 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. The bill first came to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1979; however, it fell five votes short of the number needed for passage. Two of the main arguments mentioned by opponents 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. At the time, only two other figures had national holidays honoring them: George Washington and Christopher Columbus.

Soon after, the King Center looked for support from the corporate community and the general public. The success of this strategy was cemented when musician Stevie Wonder released the single ‘Happy Birthday’ to popularize the campaign in 1980 and hosted the Rally for Peace Press Conference in 1981. Six million signatures were collected for a petition for Congress to pass the law and is considered the largest petition in favor of an issue in U.S. history.

President Reagan originally opposed the holiday, citing cost concerns. But on November 2, 1983, Reagan signed a bill, proposed by Representative Katie Hall, to create a federal holiday honoring King. The bill had passed the Senate by a count of 78 to 22, and the House of Representatives by 338 to 90. The holiday was observed for the first time on January 20, 1986. It’s observed on the third Monday of January rather than directly on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday because it follows the guidelines of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

TIMELINE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

January 15, 1929

Birth of a King

Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta, GA.

May 17, 1957

The King's Speech

King makes his first address to the nation, 'Give Us the Ballot,' at the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

August 28, 1963

The Dream

King delivers his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech at the Lincoln Memorial on the day that more than 200,000 demonstrators participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

December 10, 1964

The Ultimate Prize

King wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

April 4, 1968

Tragedy Strikes

After delivering his final speech, 'I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,' in Memphis the day before, King is shot and killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.

1980

Stevie Wonder Calls for Action 

Stevie Wonder releases 'Happy Birthday,' a song in which he not only celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday but also laments the fact that anyone would oppose the idea of a Dr. King holiday.

1986

The First Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed for the very first time.

2000

Unity

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed by all 50 states for the first time.

--Ankit Gondane