Martin luther king.

Martin Luther King Day.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.) is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

Public Life.

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday, but have slightly different names in some states. Non-essential government departments are closed, like many companies. Some schools and universities nearby, but others stay open and teach their students about the life and work of Martin Luther King.

Small businesses, such as grocery stores and restaurants tend to be open, but are increasingly opting to close on this day. Some compensate by opening birthday of Washington instead. Recent federal legislation encourages Americans to take a little time on the day of Martin Luther King as volunteer citizen action groups. Public transport systems may or may not operate on their regular schedule.

Background

Martin Luther King was an important civil rights activist. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States. His most famous address was the "I have a dream". He was an advocate of nonviolent protest and became the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize man. He was assassinated in 1968.

In 1968, shortly after Martin Luther King died for his birthday a campaign started to become a holiday in his honor. After the first bill was introduced, unions lead the campaign for the federal holiday. It was approved in 1976. Following the support of the musician Stevie Wonder with his single "Happy Birthday" and a petition with six million signatures, the project became law in 1983. Martin Luther King was first observed in 1986, but was not observed in all states until 2000. In 1990, the Wyoming legislature designated Martin Luther king Jr. / Wyoming Equality day as a holiday.

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