MLK Day is more than just a day that we have off from class. It is a day dedicated to a great man who has positively shaped this country.
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Who was he?
Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Georgia in 1929. From an early age, King was involved in church, which led him to his path as a Pastor. He continues to further his education, receiving his Doctorate degree in 1955 from Boston University. That same year, King became known as an activist, after being involved in the Montgomery bus boycott.
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What was the March on Washington?
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. along with other activist leaders orchestrated a march that they hoped would make a difference. Supports of the march had a list of demands including the end of segregated classrooms, laws to prohibit racial discrimination in regards to employment, protection from police brutality and an increase in minimum wage. More than a quarter of a million people attended the event, which is where King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. This event helped put civil rights to the top of the list for the legislature, who eventually also passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
What was the “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence.” speech?
Although not as famous as his earlier speech, King delivered this speech in 1967. In the speech he talked about America’s spending during Vietnam and how the country was spending more money on war than on helping its own people. He also continued to say that the war did not escalate until U.S. troops arrived and described the terrible things that said soldiers did once in the country. King later went on to say, that this was “one of history’s most cruel and senseless wars”.
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How did he die?
Dr. King was assassinated by a man on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.
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The day before his death, King gave his last speech titled, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”. In the speech, he addressed threats that he had received by saying this,
“And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?
Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
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Most know Martin Luther King Jr. as the man that we all watched on T.V. giving his famous speech, however, he was known as many things such as a family man, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, an author and even a man of God. Because of him, many Americans were given chances that once seemed impossible and we hope he is watching down on all of us today as we to continue to fight for equality.
Happy Birthday, Dr. King.
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