Remember to celebrate, act - a day on, not a day off

  • Published
  • By Article courtesy of the African American Heritage Committee
  • 90 Missile Wing Equal Opportunity
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Martin Luther King Jr. was born Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta. 

He is the best-known leader of the Civil Rights Movement, which took place in the 1950s and 60s. Dr. King embraced non-violent resistance as the best, most moral and most practical way to achieve social reform in the United States. 

Dr. King was brought into the spotlight by his role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955. It was during this time as president of the Montgomery Improvement Association that he delivered his first civil rights address. The speech urged the boycotters to continue their fight for equal rights, which they did for 382 days. 

In 1957 he formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The goal of the SCLC was to end segregation. He toured the country, giving speeches and sermons attacking segregation. Birmingham, Ala., being the most segregated. Dr. King marched in Alabama where he was jailed and wrote "Letter From a Birmingham Jail." 

Dr. King then became involved in a massive march on Washington. The goal was to raise national consciousness about the Civil Rights Movement and to urge Congress to pass a civil rights bill that was coming up for a vote. Standing before 250,000 people and the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. His fellow civil rights leaders efforts culminated in the signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. 

Dr. King's national and international prominence was confirmed when he became the first black American to be named Time magazine's "Man of the Year" and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. 

In 1967 and 1968 he initiated the Poor People's Campaign. Again he organized a march on Washington to force the government to end poverty. He made a stop in Memphis, Tenn., to address local striking sanitation workers. Dr. King delivered his last speech, 
"I've Been to the Mountaintop," at the Mason Temple. On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was assassinated while he stood on a motel balcony. 

Since 1986, the third Monday in January has been recognized as an official federal holiday, honoring the many contributions of Dr. King. It is often looked upon as a day off but the real purpose is to give tribute to his philosophy and stature. 

Remember. Celebrate. Act. A day on, not a day off.