1.16.23 – Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, January 16, 2023

Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, we celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights activist who promoted civil disobedience (nonviolence) methodology to effect change. Dr. King pointed out the inequalities of segregation while stopping short of calling for violent confrontation, allowing for a middle-of-the-road reformation of civil rights. In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service, known as “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” Not only is Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday, but it is also the first holiday honoring an African American.

Out of the Mountain of Despair, a Stone of Hope

More than 50 years after his death, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. remains one of the most influential leaders of the modern civil rights movement. The national memorial to Dr. King honors his tireless work for racial equality, the working class, and the oppressed worldwide. This memorial depicts a 30-foot carving of King on a feature called the “Stone of Hope,” which is from the “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, DC, on August 28, 1963. The quote serves as the overall design theme. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located in West Potomac Park next to the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Dr. King’s vision of inclusivity and core principles of equality still resonates today as the fight continues for equality through action. Today, we celebrate the late Dr. King and his unparalleled contributions to the pursuit of justice and equality for all.