Current:Home > NewsPhotos show the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -DollarDynamic
Photos show the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Benjamin Ashford View
Date:2025-04-10 22:18:39
Monday honors the birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the most prominent figure in the U.S. civil rights movement.
The holiday, which is often shortened to MLK Day, is a federal holiday and the United States that is usually observed on the third Monday of January every year. This year the holiday falls on Monday, Jan. 15, which is King's actual birthday.
King’s advocacy for the African-American community started in the early 1950s after he rose to prominence as a pastor in Montgomery, Alabama.
In March 1955, Claudette Calvin, a Black school girl, who refused to give up her seat to a white man, highlighted the time of Jim Crow laws and racial segregation in the South.
Later that year, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus as well. The two incidents led King and Edgar Nixon, an activist and civil rights leader, to start the Montgomery bus boycott which lasted 385 days.
In 1963, violent attacks against civil rights demonstrators lead many activists to have a mass protest at the nations Capitol.
The March on Washington was created by King and many civil rights leaders across the country to combat discrimination against African-Americans, Latinos, and other marginalized groups and to promote freedom and equality within the workforce.
Before the march, President John F. Kennedy met with King, along with other activists, to voice his concern about the possible violence that could occur during the protest. All the activists agreed that this march was necessary. To ensure that everything ran smoothly, Kennedy upped security at the Capitol.
King’s famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech made its debut that day.
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” King said.
The speech, which led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, in an attempt to end segregation barriers between minorities and white Americans.
After King’s, ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, the activist gained national recognition and became a prominent figure of the civil rights movement.
On April 4, 1968, King was assassinated as he stood on the second-floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
Four days after King’s of assassination Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) proposed MLK Day, which would make King’s birthday a federal holiday.
On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill which officially made MLK Day a federal holiday. MLK Day is one of the federal holidays that is dedicated to National Day of Service, urging citizens to get involved in their communities, educate others about their civil rights and share their dreams about the future.
veryGood! (362)
Related
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Augusta National not changing Masters qualifying criteria for LIV golfers in 2024
- Details of the tentative UAW-Ford agreement that would end 41-day strike
- Palestinians plead ‘stop the bombs’ at UN meeting but Israel insists Hamas must be ‘obliterated’
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Dalvin Cook says he's 'frustrated' with role in Jets, trade rumors 'might be a good thing'
- Coyotes' Travis Dermott took stand that led NHL to reverse Pride Tape ban. Here's why.
- North Carolina Republicans put exclamation mark on pivotal annual session with redistricting maps
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Huawei reports its revenue inched higher in January-September despite US sanctions
Ranking
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- The Golden Bachelor Just Delivered 3 Heartbreaking Exits and We Are Not OK
- An Idaho woman sues her fertility doctor, says he used his own sperm to impregnate her 34 years ago
- South Korean and US forces stage drills for reaction to possible ‘Hamas-style’ attack by North Korea
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- There is no clear path for women who want to be NFL coaches. Can new pipelines change that?
- Special counsel urges judge to reinstate limited gag order against Trump
- 5 Things podcast: Anti-science rhetoric heavily funded, well-organized. Can it be stopped?
Recommendation
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Stolen bases, batting average are up in first postseason with MLB's new rules
Details of the tentative UAW-Ford agreement that would end 41-day strike
Survivors of deadly Hurricane Otis grow desperate for food and aid amid slow government response
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
Alone in car, Michigan toddler dies from gunshot wound that police believe came from unsecured gun
Buccaneers vs. Bills live updates: Predictions, odds, how to watch Thursday Night Football
Parts of Gaza look like a wasteland from space. Look for the misshapen buildings and swaths of gray