A Day On! For Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr Day is January 16, 2006
The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I share that dream, do you? It remains my constant prayer that people will see one another as God does, measuring the heart and inner self rather than judging by skin color or national origin. The beauty of black skin, or brown, red, yellow and white, is a wonder of diversity to be revered. Thanks to Dr. King and countless others, we have made some progress toward mutual love, respect and understanding... but not nearly enough! Won't you do your part, too?

Remember! Celebrate! Act!
A Day On, Not A Day Off!!

After a difficult and lengthy internal conflict, Congress enacted and President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law making the third Monday of January a national holiday celebrating the birth and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fifteen years after Dr. King's death the first national celebration of Martin Luther King Day was January 20, 1986.

This year the King holiday will be celebrated on January 16, 2006. The theme of this years' holiday is Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not A Day Off!!

Peaceful Mass Action Sets the Wheels of Freedom Rolling

MLK Picture Like the Savior he preached, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his life for others. That life began on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta Georgia. His parents taught him to respect others, but as he grew up, he soon learned others did not share that fundamental principle of God's teaching. Rampant racism prevailed all over the world but was especially vehement in the American South.

In 1954, M.L. , as he was called by family and friends, received his PhD. and accepted the job of pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

On December 1st , 1955, a Mrs. Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving a white bus rider her seat. Dr. King asked African-American residents of the city to boycott the bus company by walking or driving instead. The United States Supreme Court ended the 381 day boycott by declaring Alabama's state and local laws requiring segregation on buses illegal. The boycott was a success and Dr. King had showed that peaceful mass action could bring about change.

Dr. and Mrs. King later went to India, the homeland of Mahatma Ghandi, where Dr. King studied Satyagraha, Gandhi's principle of nonviolent persuasion. Dr. King was determined to use Satyagraha as his main instrument of social protest.

The Civil Rights Movement is Born

MLK March The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLSC) was formed in January 1957 with Dr. King as the president. That May 17, Dr. King lead a mass march of 37,000 to the front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, and Dr. King had become the undisputed leader of the American civil rights movement.

The publicity and pressure brought on by the march helped bring about the establishment of the Civil Rights Commission and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice on in September, 1957, by the US Congress.

His speaking engagements and his book, Stride Toward Freedom, furthered the cause and on August 28, 1963, 200,000, led by Dr. King, gathered in the front to the Lincoln Memorial. In a peaceful protest, made up of African-Americans and whites of all, ages. Dr. King delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech.

In 1964, Dr. King was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as someone who "had contributed the most to the furtherance of peace among men." He divided the prize money, $54,000, among various civil rights organizations. President Lyndon Johnson then signed the Civil Rights Act into law. It guaranteed that "No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination."

Dr. King continued his tireless work in Selma, Alabama, where for the first time America saw via television coverage, the brutality inflicted on a peaceful march as troopers wielded clubs, whips and tear gas on the defenseless marchers. Yet, on he went, campaigning for equal treatment of all races and preaching peace for all mankind even in the face of opposition from other Black leaders who frequently felt him too much the pacifist and preferred that he not represent civil rights for other races.

Hatred Grows, but the Dream Lives On... in us!

In 1968, Dr. King went to Memphis, Tennessee to assist striking sanitation workers. On April 3rd Dr. King gave what would be his last speech:

"We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I have been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind.

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now.

I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land.

I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord"

The following day, on April 4 1968, as he was leaving his motel room, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed. The great man is gone from this earth, yet his spirit lives on and his work continues toward world peace and understanding , be it all too slowly.

Look now into the faces of his grieving widow and children and know how great a price has been paid. We must never let that sacrifice be in vain! Let his work live on in you!

Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not A Day Off!!

MLK Links:

Annie's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Page - A Christian perspective with lots of links.

Photo Essay, Time.com - Great photos and prose.

The King Center - The King Center educates the world about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's philosophy and methods.

Family Education Network - Features content Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Holiday Zone MLK Page - Pages include games, arts and crafts, discussion topics, and language activities related to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for teachers, parents, children, and EFL/ESL students.

Education World® : Holidays Center: Martin Luther King Day - Articles, lesson ideas, books, activities, and much more.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site - Basic information on MLK National Park and surrounding community.

The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute - Biography, encyclopedia of MLK's life, sermons, speeches, writings, and other materials from a Stanford University project.

Graphics on this page were adapted from photos in LIFE. See originals and credits.

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