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Martin Luther King, Jr

Posted by -edz- on 10:14 PM in , ,
Okay today my siblings did not wake up early for school. Why? Well, the title says it all. Today is Martin Luther King Day. For some people that is synonymous to holiday and 3 day weekend! To students and employees who need not wake up early today for school and work good for you then. That does not include me though. Unfortunately, I still had work today. But come to think of it the freeway was more, lets say, "free" today and there were less traffic on side streets and highways. I guess that includes less vehicular accidents as well. Oh that is good news!

Well, other than roadtrips, vacations, and additional hours of sleep, today marks an important day not only to Americans but to all people in the world. Today serves as an observation of Martin Luther King's birth. Now, who is he? What did he do? Why is he famous? Why do we observe this day for him? Well, other than the facts that he made this day a holiday possible and a lot of roads and places were named after him there's more to his name. Let me share with you some quick facts about Martin Luther King, Jr.

(source: Encarta.msn.com

Birth January 15, 1929
Death April 4, 1968
Place of Birth Atlanta, Georgia
Known for Leading the civil rights movement in the United States
Advocating nonviolent protest against segregation and racial discrimination

Milestones
1954 Selected as pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama
1955 Received his Ph.D. in systematic theology from Boston University
1955-1956 Led a successful effort to desegregate Montgomery, Alabama, buses
1957 Helped found and served as the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
1958 Published Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story
1963 Wrote 'Letter from Birmingham Jail,' arguing that it was his moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws
1963 Delivered his 'I Have a Dream' speech to civil rights marchers at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
1964 Won the Nobel Peace Prize
1965 Organized a mass march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, that created national support for federal voting-rights legislation
1968 Was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee

Quote
'I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.' August, 1963, in a speech to civil rights supporters at the March on Washington.

Did You Know
King's nonviolent doctrine was strongly influenced by the teachings of Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi.

In 1964, King became the first black American to be honored as Time magazine's Man of the Year.

King's efforts were not limited to securing civil rights; he also spoke out against poverty and the Vietnam War.



Okay, that was it. These are just some quick facts about who Martin Luther King, Jr is. He is someone definitely worth looking up to. If it wasn't for him and other civil rights activist, then maybe Americans may not have the kind of freedom they are enjoying right now. Well, come to think of it, not only Americans but people of other races and ethnicities as well. So next time before we drive off for a 3 day holiday on Martin King Luther Day lets give a minute to thank him and other civil rights activist for fighting for our freedom. To Martin Luther King, Jr, Happy Birth Anniversary and thank you.

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