King Day, celebrated on January 15 in 2018, is a United States federal holiday to honor the memory of Civil Rights leader, humanitarian, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King, Jr.
It's celebrated the third Monday in January, and, as it is a federal holiday, it means that we have no mail delivery; federal courts and offices are closed; most schools are closed; and we should fly the flag. (Almost all states also recognize Martin Luther King Day with closures of state offices and other officially recognized ceremonies.)
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| Martin Luther King talking in Minnesota in 1967. Photo from the Minnesota Historical Society found at Wikipedia |
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Martin Luther King would be 89 if he were still with us.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, so this year, 2018, we are celebrating King Day on King's actual birthday, which happens to be the third Monday of the month this year. King would be 89 if he were still living, but he was assassinated on April 4, 1968, when he was only 39 years old.
I was in high school in a suburb of Chicago, and I remember that time well. It was a time of sadness, anger, and uncertainty.
The death of King was followed by riots in many cities and towns, and I can remember military helicopters flying over Chicago, 8-10 miles east of the suburb that we lived in.
The Beginning of King Day
The death of King was followed by riots in many cities and towns, and I can remember military helicopters flying over Chicago, 8-10 miles east of the suburb that we lived in.
The Beginning of King Day
I also remember some of the first celebrations of Martin Luther King, even before King Day became an official federal holiday in 1986. I don't remember the exact year, but in 1979 or 1980, before government offices and financial institutions were routinely closed for King Day, a black woman that I worked with organized the black employees in the office to bring treats on King's birthday, focusing on family recipes, all to raise awareness among all of us of the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King.
No school, but what does that mean?
Now schools are out on Martin Luther King Day, and that is a good way to get children, both as parents and as teachers, to talk about Martin Luther King, the Civil Rights movement, where we are today in the world, and where we go from here. The birthday of Martin Luther King should never be treated as "just" a day off from school. Many talk about Martin Luther King Day as a Day of Service. Here's a start: The (Martin Luther) King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, talks about the meaning of the King holiday HERE.
Now schools are out on Martin Luther King Day, and that is a good way to get children, both as parents and as teachers, to talk about Martin Luther King, the Civil Rights movement, where we are today in the world, and where we go from here. The birthday of Martin Luther King should never be treated as "just" a day off from school. Many talk about Martin Luther King Day as a Day of Service. Here's a start: The (Martin Luther) King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, talks about the meaning of the King holiday HERE.
Many publications have include information about the meaning of Dr. King's work and the origins of the holiday, and many include links and ideas for parents about meaningful commemorations of King Day. Some of these articles were published last year or the year before, but the ideas are still valid. Here are a few links:
- Martin Luther King Day holiday
- Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with kids
- Celebrating Martin Luther King Day
- 6 ways to meaningfully honor Martin Luther King
- Amer Assn of State Colleges and Universities: Martin Luther King Day of Service
- Five Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Day
Many cities have ceremonies and exhibits commemorating the life of Martin Luther King, some geared to children, some for people of all ages. Again, some of these lists were published last year or the year before, so verify dates and times before you go anywhere. Here's a partial list:
- Awesome places to visit this King Day
- Hudson Valey Parent's ideas for celebrating King Day
- Chicago: Martin Luther King Day events for kids
- Celebrating Martin Luther King Day around the country
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