The Eagle Times

Each year on the third Monday of January schools, federal offices, post office and banks across America close to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the newest national holiday and was approved by Ronald Raegan. The first national celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday took place January 20, 1986. The holiday takes place to remember the late Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 at his family home in Atlanta, Georgia. King was originally given the name Michael Luther King, but later changed his name to Martin Luther King, Jr. He was the second child of Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King. In his mid-20s, He married Coretta Scott on June 18, 1953. Together they had four children, Yolanda Denise, Martin Luther III, Dexter Scott, and Bernice Albertine. Martin Luther King Jr. became a Baptist minister in his late 20s. In his early 30s, He began to lead the civil-rights movement in America. King fought to make it clear to all Americans that all people are equal. King was one of the most important people to have made a significant change in the rights of blacks. He had great courage and passion to defeat segregation and racism that existed in the United States. His dream was for people of all different races to come together in one country. He was a strong believer in equal rights. King spent most of his life devoting himself to these actions.King went by all means to maintain peace during this movement. For his non-violence to achieve civil-rights reforms, He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Martin Luther King Jr. changed the American society. He set the bar for many African Americans to follow. He is a hero to all of us. Without him, African Americans would probably not have as many rights as they do today.

By Allie Hebert