Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the U.S. that takes place on the 3rd Monday in January. This holiday honors the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. left a legacy that consisted of non-violent protests and civil disobedience in the struggle to end discrimination and racial segregation in the US during the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Martin Luther King Jr. participated in and led marches for causes such as:
- Voting rights
- Desegregation
- Labor Rights
Martin Luther King Jr. often gave speeches that would inspire those who followed and supported the cause, and one of his most memorable speeches, “I Have a Dream,” was given on August 20, 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
This speech was given to more than a quarter million people and has been celebrated as one of the greatest speech of the 20th Century.
To learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and mission, make sure to check out some of these titles, or visit our display in the Youth Services Department!
