A Dream that Changed the World: The History of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Many students today recognize the third Monday in January as a day off of school, but that day has a very significant meaning. The day celebrates a man who changed the landscape of the United States – Martin Luther King Jr. 

King was one of the most impactful civil rights leaders during the fight to end segregation. One of King’s most notable moments was his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington – a protest on ending racial discrimination. 

King would continue to fight for civil rights until his death on April 4, 1968, but his legacy continues to have a significance on not just the civil rights movement, but the world itself. 

After King’s death, there were proposals to make his birthday, Jan 15, a holiday. These proposals were blocked on national levels. In 1983, legislation passed declaring the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

While the nation recognized the importance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it wasn’t until 2000 that every state recognized the day as a national holiday – South Carolina being the last state to do so. 

Some states, mainly in the south, combine the celebration of African American civil rights with holidays celebrating Confederate leaders. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is known as “Robert E. Lee/Martin Luther King Birthday” in Alabama. 

There are many ways that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated. Around 45 percent of Americans have the day off of work to honor the holiday. Parades and speeches are held throughout the country to honor the civil rights legend. Even other countries like Canada celebrate a version of the holiday. 

King’s impact on the country should not be underestimated. Without the Nobel prize winner for peace, it may have been years before equal rights laws were enacted. By celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the country honors a man who changed the United States.