Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader. He fought to end in the United States. People still look back on King’s life today. Each January, schools close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Read on to learn more!
King fought for Black rights. He even led the March on Washington in 1963. Thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C., to hear King speak. That’s when he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. King shared his dreams of an America with freedom and justice.
King died in 1968. People called for a holiday in King’s honor. They included Congressman John Conyers. Four days after King’s death, Conyers introduced the first bill to create the holiday. That bill never went to a vote though.
Many were still interested in a day for King. Some states decided to act. In 1973, Illinois declared January 15 to be a holiday. That was Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Other states passed similar laws.
The year 1983 marked 20 years since the March on Washington. Civil rights leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., again. King’s wife, Coretta Scott King, gave a to Congress. The document was signed by 6 million people. They were all asking for the holiday.
The government finally agreed. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill in 1983. The first Martin Luther King Jr. Day was in 1986.
Still, not every state celebrated the holiday. Instead, some states honored two figures. Alabama and Mississippi had “King-Lee Day.” It was for Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert E. Lee. Lee led the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. The Confederacy supported slavery.
Today, all states celebrate MLK Day. Some states hold parades. And students learn about King’s life.
What does Dr. King’s holiday mean to you?
Updated January 13, 2023, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Tyler Burdick
