Next week we will celebrate the life of one of the greatest African American civil rights leaders in the United States. Martin Luther King Day 2010 will be celebrated on Monday January 18, 2010. Every year we celebrate this holiday on the third Monday of January.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15th 1929. He grew up in Atlanta Georgia where he attended a segregated school system. He earned his bachelors degree in 1948 from Morehouse College which is the same college that his father and grandfather earned their degree. He later received his doctorate degree in 1955 from Boston University.

King is best known for his contribution to the civil rights movement. He served on the executive committee for the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). Perhaps his most famous contribution to the American history was his “I Have a Dream” Speech to a crowd of 250,000.

Other accomplishments in his life include being president of the Southern Leadership Conference, directing the march on Washington, receiving 5 honorary degrees and being named the Man of the year in a 1963 issue of Time Magazine. He was also the youngest recipient of the noble peace prize.

Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on the evening of April 2, 1968.

Let’s remember Martin Luther King this January 18th for all of his contributions and bravery that has led us to where we are today. He fought for equal rights and inspired many other African Americans to step up and continue to fight for equal rights.

Author: Mike Smitt

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