MONDAY, MANY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WILL HAVE A DAY OFF TO HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST WHO WAS KNOWN FOR HIS WAY WITH WORDS AND HIS DETERMINATION TO COMBAT RACIAL INEQUALITY WITH NONVIOLENCE. EFFORTS TO CREATE A FEDERAL HOLIDAY IN HONOR OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ICON BEGAN IN 1968, JUST FOUR DAYS AFTER HE WAS ASSASSINATED. IN 1983, PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN SIGNED LEGISLATION CREATING MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY, AND WE CELEBRATE IT EACH YEAR ON THE THIRD MONDAY OF JANUARY, WHICH IS NEAREST TO HIS BIRTHDAY.
DOCTOR KING HAD A KNACK FOR INSPIRING PEOPLE, AND AS YOU PREPARE TO OBSERVE MLK DAY, CONSIDER HIS WORDS: "IF YOU CAN'T FLY, THEN RUN. IF YOU CAN'T RUN, THEN WALK. IF YOU CAN'T WALK, THEN CRAWL. BUT WHATEVER YOU DO, YOU HAVE TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD."
Instructional Links
Classroom Resources: Brainpop, Martin Luther King Jr. | Animated video & free materials with no login required
Website Article: Enchanted Learning, Martin Luther King, Jr. | Information, timeline & activities
Lesson Plans: Scholastic, The Spirit of Service, What Are You Doing for Others? | MLK information, curriculum on service
Website Article: Corporation for National and Community Service, About Dr. King and MLK Day | Ex plains National Day of Service
Website: The King Center | Resources on MLK and his legacy.