The revered Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, standing at the iconic Lincoln Memorial. His choice of location was intentional, as he aimed to pay tribute to President Abraham Lincoln, whom he described as “a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today.” This powerful moment continues to inspire millions who commemorate King’s legacy.
On the third Monday of January, close to King’s own birthday on January 15, various levels of government, institutions, and businesses across the nation observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For many, this holiday represents merely a day off from professional or academic obligations. However, members of King’s family and advocates of his vision for equality, justice, and non-violent resistance encourage Americans to view this occasion as a time to engage in service to others.
Although now widely celebrated, the journey to establish this holiday encountered significant hurdles.
The movement to create a national day honoring the civil rights leader began amid national mourning. U.S. Democratic Representative John Conyers from Michigan, known for his long tenure and commitment to civil rights, introduced legislation just four days after King was tragically gunned down in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.
The effort faced skepticism; King had been a controversial figure even prior to his assassination, according to Lerone Martin, director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. Polls from reputable publications indicated a significant portion of the American public either distrusted King or considered his stance too radical, particularly his comments about poverty, housing, and the Vietnam War. “People believed that King was moving too quickly after 1965, thinking the Voting Rights bill was sufficient,” Martin noted.
The Congressional Black Caucus, initiated by Conyers, attempted to bring this recognition to a vote over the course of the next 15 years. Among the reasons met with opposition were claims that public holidays didn’t extend to private citizens and allegations regarding King’s character and political beliefs. Meanwhile, Coretta Scott King continued to push for the holiday’s establishment, and musician Stevie Wonder contributed with the release of his song “Happy Birthday,” galvanizing public support.
The landscape shifted in the 1980s as public sentiment began to alter. Martin noted that the reflection on racial progress and growing discontent with the Vietnam War facilitated a change in perspective. By 1983, roughly two decades after King’s influential speech, Congress successfully passed legislation establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday in January, and President Ronald Reagan enacted it into law.
Despite Reagan’s signing, it took an additional 17 years for all 50 states to formally observe the holiday, with significant resistance coming from Southern states like Arizona. In 1987, Arizona’s Governor Evan Mecham revoked an executive order for a state holiday honoring King, stating, “Black people don’t need a holiday. Y’all need jobs,” which ignited protests.
Pastor Warren H. Stewart Sr. organized a coalition across racial and political lines to protest, while entertainers like Wonder canceled events in the state. The loss of hosting major events, including the Super Bowl, was a significant blow. Ultimately, in 1992, Arizona became the first state to restore the King holiday through a voter initiative.
Supporters celebrated with a concert attended by notable figures like Wonder and Rosa Parks on the following MLK Day. Stewart remembers addressing the crowd and emphasizing the importance of moving from symbolic gestures to substantive change. In 2000, South Carolina became the last state to officially recognize the holiday, though civil rights organizations had reservations due to the state’s simultaneous observance of Confederate Memorial Day.
Over its 42-year history, Martin Luther King Jr. Day has evolved significantly. It is unique as the only federal holiday encouraging a “day on, not a day off.” In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed legislation that transformed it into a National Day of Service, prompted by Congressman John Lewis and Senator Harris Wofford.
Major cities across the nation celebrate the holiday with parades, street festivals, and concerts, while various service projects encompass community clean-ups, food packing, and blood donation campaigns. AmeriCorps has allocated $1.5 million in grants to support non-profit organizations undertaking projects connected to MLK Day. According to CEO Michael Smith, hundreds of initiatives engage thousands of volunteers annually.
Smith, who has served under President Joe Biden, expressed optimism about the holiday’s potential not just for immediate service but as a catalyst for year-round community involvement. Rev. Bernice King, CEO of the King Center in Atlanta and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., also desires for individuals to go beyond just quoting her father’s words and instead commit to active nonviolence.
Lerone Martin emphasizes the importance of understanding King’s legacy, particularly through his writings, with “Letter from the Birmingham Jail” as a notable addition. “We can equip ourselves with his ideals,” he remarked, suggesting a continuous engagement with King’s principles throughout the year rather than limiting it to one specific day.
