This time, the 3rd Monday in January is on the actual birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was born January 15, 1929 and was assassinated on April 4, 1968.I didn't know until recently that MLK day wasn't observed as a national holiday until 1986 (I guess I was a little oblivious since I would have been only 4 at the time). For some reason, I thought it became a commemorated day like right after he died. However, he became the first Black American honored by a national holiday.
Anyway, it goes without saying that the man was brilliant and courageous and that without him, I don't know where we'd be. It scares me to wonder about the world without him. God used him so mightily. Every MLK Day, my family and I watch an old black and white documentary called King: Montgomery to Memphis. Every single time I hear his voice, his speeches laced with so much conviction, I get goosebumps. Thank you, Dr. King. Like the apostles in Acts, you turned the world upside down.
"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."
--Martin Luther King Jr., Accepting Nobel Peace Prize, Dec. 10, 1964
2 comments:
Sadly, it wasn't officially observed as a holiday in all 50 states until 2000. Amazing, isn't it?
I remember when President Reagan signed the bill in 1986. I was in high school -- yep, this married ol' duffer's got 12 or so years on you. ;] I recall Arizona having some opposition to the decision. They've always been ... different.
Thanks for posting this.
Gasp! Not until 2000? When I was little (I guess from watching too much Back to the Future, Part II) I used to think 2000 was going to be the ultimate future, complete with flying cars, et. al. But people were (and still are now) struggling to come to terms with a movement that took place over 40 years ago! Forget the flying cars. Ay, madre.
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