Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday January 16 is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As the third Monday of January, it is the day that has been set aside to commemorate his life, legacy and all that he fought for. The holiday was first observed in 1986 after the passing of 1983 legislation recognizing it as a federal holiday. In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, recognizing MLK Day as a day of service. Each year thousands of people around the nation spend the third Monday of January participating in community service events in Martin Luther King Jr.’s honor.

It is a great day. Many communities and nonprofits see numerous successful projects that improve their organizations and their communities as a result of this day of service. But to truly honor Dr. King’s legacy, we cannot think of service as something we do once a year in his name. Serving others is a way of life we commit ourselves to in the name of humanity.

Speaking of how he wanted to be remembered after his death, Dr. King once stated, “Id like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I’d like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody. I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe the naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.”