The first month of the year is special for a number of reasons, including the opportunity for a fresh start, as millions of people make New Year’s resolutions in an effort to turn the page on the previous year.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is nestled in the middle of January and is another day of contemplation and celebration. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., born Jan. 15, 1929, was an American Baptist minister, activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and one of the most prominent leaders of the civil rights movement. His leadership was fundamental throughout the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. King promoted nonviolent tactics that included the March on Washington in 1963.

The third Monday of January is widely celebrated as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (or MLK Day), and is a federal holiday to honor the life and legacy of this great man. The day presents an opportunity to celebrate and honor Dr. King in notable ways. Here are some of the many ways to celebrate Dr. King and serve in his name:

Give what you can. Donate money or goods to a nearby charitable organization. This can include donating to a food pantry or dropping off clothing at a homeless shelter.

Donate time. Dr. King’s legacy is a testament to cooperation. When people work together and support one another, the world becomes a better place for future generations. Volunteering time at a local nonprofit organization is a start.

Watch the “I Have a Dream” speech. Dr. King was a skilled orator, and this speech is about 17 minutes long. Many people know of this speech but may not have listened to it in its entirety, nor have fully absorbed its message. MLK Day is an ideal time to listen to the speech from start to finish.

Promote equality initiatives. Racism, segregation and inequality remain a problem even today. Use MLK Day as a catalyst for change aimed at promoting equality among all people.

Spearhead mixers and other friendly socials. Dr. King espoused a message of kindness and respect for others. By bringing people together from different backgrounds, individuals can learn that they likely have more in common than they realize. Host special social gatherings that can take place on or around MLK Day.

Plant a tree or another enduring symbol. A Greek proverb says, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.” It means that planting trees represents actions that will benefit future generations, even if the person planting them will not live long enough to reap the benefits. Dr. King facilitated greater racial harmony and peace even though he was not able to enjoy it more fully. Planting a tree in his name will benefit future generations.

Learn more about Dr. King. Visit a cultural center that is offering a special MLK Day exhibit; otherwise, read biographies or watch a movie about Dr. King’s life and work.

Discuss his legacy with young people. There’s much competing for people’s attention as the world finds itself nearing the end of the opening quarter of the twenty-first century. That can make it easy to overlook the efforts of influential individuals like King who helped the world become the place it is today. Parents and educators can utilize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a catalyst to open a dialogue with their children and students about KingÕs life and legacy. Highlight the injustices King fought against and emphasize his commitment to peace in the face of those challenges.

Watch a film or films about the Civil Rights Movement. Historians may dispute the timeline, but the civil rights movement in the United States is generally considered to have taken place between 1954 and 1968. Many films, including dramas and documentaries, examine important individuals and moments during this pivotal period in American history. “Freedom Song” (2000), “Ghosts of Mississippi” (1996), “Malcolm X” (1992), and “Selma” (2014) are just a handful of the many films that shed light on the African American experience during the civil rights era.

Expand your knowledge of the era. While King was front and center during the civil rights era, many other brave men and women risked their lives in an effort to combat segregation and discrimination. Any effort to more deeply understand the civil rights era and the issues that African Americans were fighting to overcome can ensure the struggle that ultimately cost King his life was not for naught. Countless books and documentary films offer invaluable insight into the civil rights era, making them a great resource for individuals who want to honor King and promote his message.

Listen. The simple act of listening can be a great way to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Sadly, many of the issues King fought against during his lifetime remain unresolved today. Individuals from all walks of life can honor King by listening to those who have taken on his mantle and continued the fight for a more just, equitable society.
Martin Luther King, Jr. is honored each year in the United States on the anniversary of his birth. Individuals can honor his enduring legacy in various ways. TF241632

Notable works by Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story.” Published in 1958, this is King’s account of the Montgomery bus boycott that began in 1955 and ended in 1956. The book includes information about the planning of the boycott as well as King’s thoughts about it after it ended.

“The Measure of a Man.” A short book, The Measure of a Man is actually two sermons King delivered in August 1958. The sermons are titled “What is Man?” and “The Dimensions of a Complete Life.” The Cornell University Library credits The Measure of a Man for offering insight into the theological roots of King’s philosophy of nonviolence.

“Strength to Love.” A more extensive version of King’s sermons, Strength to Love focuses largely on racial segregation in the United States. King wrote the sermons in Strength to Love during the struggle for civil rights, even composing some of them while in jail.

“Why We Can’t Wait.” Published in 1964, Why We Can’t Wait focuses on the nonviolent fight against racial segregation in 1963 in Birmingham. The book includes King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,: which remains one of his most famous writings.

“Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” This was King’s last book before he was assassinated. King wrote the book from a rented house in Jamaica in 1967 after isolating himself from the civil right movement. In the book, King contemplates where things stand for the civil rights movement and what must be done to ensure equality for all Americans in the future.
The collective works of Martin Luther King, Jr. provide unrivaled insight into the minds of the one of the most influential figures in American history.