The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. He selected this site to honor President Abraham Lincoln, referring to him as “a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today.” Today, millions pay tribute to King in a similar fashion.
Each year on the third Monday of January, which is near King’s birthdate of January 15, various levels of government and institutions across the nation commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For many, this holiday may simply represent a day off from work or school. However, King’s family and his advocates emphasize its true purpose: serving others.
The journey to establish this holiday was far from straightforward and was met with significant resistance.
Origin of the King Day Holiday
The proposal for a national holiday in honor of the civil rights leader emerged from a collective sorrow after his death. U.S. Representative John Conyers of Michigan, a long-time advocate for civil rights, introduced a bill to honor King just four days following his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.
It was widely understood that gaining support for this initiative would be challenging. Even prior to his assassination, King was a divisive figure for many Americans, as noted by Lerone Martin, director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. Polls conducted by major newspapers revealed that a majority of the public did not trust King, viewing him as too radical due to his outspoken views on issues such as poverty, housing, and the Vietnam War.
“Many believed that King was moving too quickly following the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and thought that was sufficient,” Martin explained.
The Congressional Black Caucus, which Conyers played a role in founding, worked hard over the subsequent 15 years to bring the legislation to a vote. Detractors cited various reasons against the bill, including claims that public holidays should not extend to private citizens, accusations of King being a communist, or claims about his personal life. During this time, Coretta Scott King consistently lobbied for the creation of the holiday, and musician Stevie Wonder even released “Happy Birthday,” to generate support for the campaign.
What Led to Change?
By the 1980s, the sociopolitical landscape of the United States had evolved, with many reflecting on the strides made in racial equality. Additionally, the negative sentiment surrounding the Vietnam War helped shift public opinion in favor of the holiday. Advocates were able to push for the establishment of a federal holiday recognizing Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1983, two decades after King’s iconic speech, Congress approved the legislation to create Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday of January, and it was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
However, Reagan’s endorsement did not lead to immediate acceptance across all states. It took an additional 17 years for every state to officially recognize the holiday, with much resistance from Southern states, notably Arizona. In 1987, Governor Evan Mecham canceled a previous executive order for a state holiday in Arizona, claiming, “Black people don’t need a holiday. Y’all need jobs.” This controversial remark ignited passionate protests led by Dr. Warren H. Stewart Sr., a senior pastor in Phoenix, who rallied people from various backgrounds to join in opposition.
As a result of this activism, major artists including Stevie Wonder withdrew from scheduled events in Arizona, and businesses relocated conferences away from the state. The movement ultimately culminated in 1992 when Arizona voters reinstated the King holiday through a ballot initiative.
Supporters celebrated the victory with a concert on the following Martin Luther King Jr. Day, featuring Wonder and numerous other performers, including civil rights icon Rosa Parks. Dr. Stewart addressed the audience, highlighting the significance of the holiday as a representation of liberty and justice, urging everyone to push beyond mere symbols and work towards substantial change.
South Carolina remained the last state to adopt the holiday, doing so in 2000, but without the support of civil rights organizations due to its simultaneous recognition of Confederate Memorial Day.
A ‘Day On, Not a Day Off’
The impact of Martin Luther King Jr. Day has continued to expand over the past four decades. It stands out as the only federal holiday that encourages participation in community service rather than simply a day off.
In 1994, President Bill Clinton enacted a law, thanks to Congressman John Lewis and Senator Harris Wofford, which established it as a National Day of Service. Across the nation, communities organize celebrations, including parades, festivals, and musical performances during the weekend leading up to the holiday. Activities range from neighborhood clean-ups to blood drives and food distribution projects.
A special focus has emerged to engage volunteers through AmeriCorps. The agency has allocated $1.5 million in grants to nearly 200 organizations executing various service initiatives. CEO Michael Smith noted that in recent years, there have been countless projects involving large numbers of participants on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with increasing engagement year after year.
“On any given day I notice another initiative that falls outside our scope,” Smith highlighted. “The importance of the King holiday lies not only in the service rendered but also in inspiring people to consider how they might engage throughout the year.”
This sentiment is echoed by King’s daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, CEO of the King Center in Atlanta. She desires individuals to do more than simply quote her father’s words; she emphasizes the importance of genuine commitment to the principles of nonviolence and service each day.
Moreover, Lerone Martin emphasizes the need for continued education about King himself, expressing enthusiasm about witnessing people exploring King’s writings like the “Letter from the Birmingham Jail.” He asserts, “We can equip ourselves with his ideals and maintain an ongoing dialogue with him—not just on this commemorative day but throughout the year.”
