Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is not just a look back at history. It is more than honoring a great person and recognizing his deeds. Remembering MLK is a celebration of his life as well as our own. With his efforts, we Americans, regardless of the color of our skin and race, have equal rights as citizens of this grand nation. This month, let us take part in honoring one of our country’s greatest leaders.
Why We Should Remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is not just a look back at history. It is more than honoring a great person and recognizing his deeds. Remembering MLK is a celebration of his life as well as our own. With his efforts, we Americans, regardless of the color of our skin and race, have equal rights as citizens of this grand nation. This month, let us take part in honoring one of our country’s greatest leaders.
Who is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on the 15th of January 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a Baptist minister and a civil rights activist. He was one of the most influential persons in our history as he paved the way for the end of segregation of African American citizens in the U.S. His legacy includes the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned all forms of discrimination, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which granted every U.S. citizen the right to vote.
Quick Facts About MLK:
Name: Martin Luther King Jr.
Original Name: Michael King Jr.
Parents: Alberta Williams King and Michael King Sr.
Place of Death: Memphis, Tennessee
Education: Morehouse College, Boston, University, Crozer Theological Seminary
Awards Received: Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, John F. Kennedy Award, John Dewey Award, Man of the Year by Time, and other nationally recognized awards
How MLK Day is celebrated across the country
Martin Luther King Day is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of January. It is a federal holiday and across the nation, institutions, various establishments, and individuals take part in celebrating the day. As a day of remembering his legacy and a day of promoting equal rights, many schools mark the occasion by having activities that promote equal rights for all. Many organizations have their own projects and activities that also promote peace and equality. Individuals remember MLK by volunteering in civic activities. Many public and private companies and institutions also celebrate the day in their own way. For example, Sugarland Eye & Laser Center, one of the leading eye and laser eye surgery centers in Houston, keep the spirit of MLK alive by reminding people about the value of his contribution to our country and by promoting equality for all.
In some states, Martin Luther King Day is also combined with other recognized days. In Idaho, for example, Martin Luther King Day is also Human Rights Day. In Arizona and New Hampshire, it is Civil Rights Day. In Wyoming, the day is Wyoming Equality Day.
How you can celebrate MLK Day
Martin Luther King Day is more than a federal holiday. It is a day of appreciating the freedom and equality that we are enjoying as citizens of the United States of America. You can, therefore, celebrate MLK Day by promoting equality in however way you can. You can use social networking sites, you can volunteer in civic projects, or you can simply teach the younger generation about MLK and his legacy.
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About the Author
Amjad Khokhar, M.D. is Chief LASIK Surgeon at Sugarland Eye & Laser Center. Add Dr. Khokhar on Google+ here.
References:
http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086
http://www.lib.lsu.edu/hum/mlk/srs218.html
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/martin-luther-king-day
