How Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a federal holiday

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday of January each year, is a federal holiday that honors the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. But how did this day become a national holiday?

The idea of a holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr. first gained momentum just days after his assassination on April 4, 1968. Civil rights leaders and activists began advocating for a national day of remembrance to honor King’s contributions to the civil rights movement. Over the years, various states and cities began to observe the day as a holiday on their own accord.

In 1979, a bill was introduced in Congress to make King’s birthday a federal holiday. However, the bill faced opposition and was not passed. It was not until 1983, when a petition with over six million signatures was submitted to Congress in support of the holiday, that progress was made.

Finally, on November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday to be observed on the third Monday of January each year. The first official observance of the holiday took place on January 20, 1986.

Since then, Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become a day of reflection, service, and celebration of King’s vision of equality, justice, and peace. It serves as a reminder of the importance of continuing to work towards a more just and equitable society for all.

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