Today, MLK Day serves as a time for reflection, service, and recommitment to the values of equality, justice, and nonviolent social change.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.), commonly known as MLK Day, is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday of January. It honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a central leader of the Civil Rights Movement whose commitment to nonviolent activism helped challenge racial discrimination and advance major legislative reforms.
Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929, so while the holiday is meant to be observed around that date, it follows the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, and therefore is observed on the Monday between January 15 and January 21 each year to be create a consistent three-day weekend.
The effort to establish the holiday began after Dr. King’s assassination in 1968. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law, and it was first observed federally in 1986. Although some states initially resisted or used alternate names, all 50 states officially recognized Martin Luther King Jr. Day by 2000.
The day is often celebrated with marches, rallies, parades, and speeches by civil rights and political leaders. We are encouraged to “reflect on the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change espoused by Dr. King” as well as reflect on how we can effect positive change within our own communities.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/story/Why-We-Celebrate-MLK-Day
