Just like numerous great people in history, Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the rights of African American citizens. His leadership and belief helped shape this country into what it is today. King is now celebrated because of the impact he had on millions of people in the United States, and for his help changing our country for the better.

African Americans have struggled in the United states for over 200 years. After countless years of unfair treatment and discrimination, King, as well as many other civil rights leaders, fought back to try to gain equality for all races. Following the ways of Gandhi, King remained peaceful during his fight. King once said, “At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”  King understood that violence would not be the correct method to gain equal rights for African Americans.

Throughout his life, King made many speeches, but by far the most memorable one was his “I Have A Dream” speech made on the steps of the Washington, D.C., Lincoln Memorial. The speech was about King’s dream that people of all race could live peacefully together and treat one another as equals.     

In 1968, soon after King’s assassination at the age of 39, the campaign for a holiday in his honor began. 15 years later, president Ronald Reagan made the third Monday of January a national holiday in honor of King. Although it had been signed into a law, some states still did not want to recognize the holiday. It was not until 2000 that all 50 states started celebrating the holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time to pause and remember King’s life and everything he fought for and dedicated his life to. MLK day is a good time to go out and help out your community and treat others with love and kindness. Our country has grown so much since the time of the civil rights movement. Without King, our nation would not be the same one it is today.