MARTIN LUTHER KING

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

INTRODUCTION

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, also known as Martin Luther Day, traditionally honored on the third Monday in January, is not an official holiday, but a paid public holiday. In fact, the United States does not have any official national holidays, only federal ones. Most countries outside the United States do have national holidays, and on those days, the entire nation's economy is halted, and every citizen gets a paid day off.

Through the legislative process or by executive order, it is up to each state to independently decide which days will be considered federal holidays. The United States Congress can only legally designate holidays for federal employees and for the District of Columbia. The process, after which Martin Luther King Jr. day became a national holiday, at the federal level, spans almost two decades (Doering, 2006). The suggestion to make Martin Luther King Jr. day a national holiday was raised numerous times during these two decades and one or the other form of opposition or hurdle would almost always create complications. This research paper will seek to shed light on the series of events that led to the recognition that is currently given to Martin Luther King Jr. day. In the process, the paper will also highlight the political scenario that was present during the two decades. By doing so, the research paper will attempt to contribute to the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. and Martin Luther King Jr. day.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15 (Miller, 2009). The floating holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, though the act predated the establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by fifteen years.

Martin Luther King Jr. is recognized as one of the most important figures in American history. His activities as a municipal privileges activist went against the tide and changed the course of American history. He led a movement that brought an end to the concept of racial segregation in the country. Because of his efforts, American society began to look down at racial segregation with the same intensity with which segregation had been practiced in the past (McDonnell & Endres, 1994). None of his measures involved violence and he believed in the integrity of non-violent dispute resolution. His assassination in 1968 triggered a resolution across American society to immortalize the man by pursuing his mission. One of the many efforts that were made to commemorate the man and to remember the man's mission was the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. day as a national holiday.

DISCUSSION

The idea of making Martin Luther King Jr. Day an official federal holiday had been going around for quite some time after the death of the great ...