dr. martin luther king jr. day
On January 20, 2025, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday will mark the 30th anniversary of its designation as a National Day of Service. This special day was established to pay tribute to the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Dr. King. It serves as a powerful reminder for all Americans to engage in volunteer activities and contribute to the betterment of their communities. Back on Monday, January 20, 1986, Americans celebrated the very first official Martin Luther King Day. Significantly, this is the sole federal holiday dedicated to commemorating an African American. In 1994, Congress took a momentous step by designating this holiday as a national day of service. Since then, the third Monday in January each year has been recognized as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, emphasizing the spirit of "a Day On, Not a Day Off". Dr. King passionately advocated for nonviolent resistance as a powerful strategy to combat injustice and break the chains of racial oppression. Through meticulously organized sit ins, impactful marches, and peaceful demonstrations, he brought the glaring issues of inequality into the spotlight, thereby driving significant social change. In 1964, Dr. King was bestowed with the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. At that time, he held the distinction of being the youngest recipient of this highly esteemed honor. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, he entered the religious ministry and became a Baptist minister. Tragically, on April 4, 1968, at the young age of 39, Dr. King was assassinated while standing on the balcony of his hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. He had journeyed to Memphis to lead a march in solidarity with the striking sanitation workers. We fondly remember Dr. King not only as a loving husband, a caring father, and a dear friend but also as a passionate and unwavering advocate for the progress and well being of all people. To honor his memory, we can take meaningful actions such as organizing community events, actively participating in volunteer work, and spreading his inspiring message far and wide. Let us always keep in mind the spirit of "MAKE IT A DAY ON, NOT A DAY OFF" for ourselves and those in our surroundings. DoDEA Martin Luther King, Jr. Day The Purpose of Education Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Excerpted from Morehouse College Student Paper, 1947 Education should empower individuals to sift through and carefully weigh evidence. It equips them with the ability to distinguish between the true and the false, the genuine and the illusory, and the factual and the fictional. Thus, the core function of education is to teach people to think deeply and critically. We must bear in mind that mere intelligence is insufficient. True education aims to cultivate not only intelligence but also strong character