Martin Luther King Jr. was a courageous leader of the civil rights movement. That was the long struggle to gain equal rights for African Americans. Every January, people celebrate his important work on a holiday honoring him.
King was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He is famous for his “I Have a Dream” speech, which he gave in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963. In it, he spoke about his dream that Americans would be judged by their personal qualities, not their skin color.
King organized many peaceful protests. People would march to bring attention to the issue of equal rights. But some people did not want King to spread his message of equality. On April 4, 1968, he was assassinated.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January. It is considered a day of service. Many people show appreciation for King by helping their communities on that day.