​Meaning Behind MLK Day

By Anna Burton
 
The third Monday in January of every year is a day we come to know as a day off. This day is Martin Luther King Day (MLK Day). Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an activist for African Americans’ economic rights and to end racism. He himself was an African American male, who was more into non-violent protests and sit-ins.
He was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. One of the biggest things he did was give a speech on August 28, 1963 which is now known as the “I Have a Dream” speech. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave this speech to a big group of people around the Lincoln Memorial. This speech was for him to share that he wishes for a better future where the color of your skin doesn't separate you and everyone could come together and live in harmony.
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Unfortunately Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. So in his honor of his work we have a holiday to celebrate his life. President Regan signed a bill that made every third Monday of January a holiday, on the third of November in the year 1983. This holiday didn't start until 1986. So that means that Martin Luther King Day (MLK Day) started only 34 years ago.