Today Is Martin Luther King Day. Do You Know Why?

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. His birth name was actually Michael Luther King, Jr. but in 1935 his father, Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. changed both their names Martin; in honor of Martin Luther, the German monk and theologian who is often credited for founding the Protestant Church.

MLK, Jr. was incredibly smart. He skipped his high school years, and entered Moorehouse College at the age of 15; and never formally graduated from High School.

The push for a formal day to recognize the nonviolent leader began shortly after he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Fifteen years after his death, President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law (although he didn’t really want to); the holiday was not officially observed until 1986.

Here’s something you may not know:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was founded as a holiday promoted by labor unions in contract negotiations. After King’s death, Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan) introduced a bill in Congress to make King’s birthday a national holiday, highlighting King’s activism on behalf of trade unionists.

Martin Luther King Day at Wikipedia.org

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
– Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Image Sources:
Facade
The Integrator
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Write Spirit

Related posts:

1. Always Remember Martin Luther King, Jr.
2. Bill Maher on Larry King Live – Couldn’t Have Said It Better Myself Vol. 1 –
3. Paris Hilton Lies To Larry King.
4. Larry King Doesn’t Know Who Jerry Seinfeld Is.
5. Today in Entertainment History Vol. 6