Every January, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It’s a time to reflect on Dr. King’s fight for justice and equality. But this national holiday was hard-won. After Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, it took 15 years to make his birthday a national holiday.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a law designating the federal holiday. It was observed for the first time in 1986. Now 40 years later, we continue to honor Dr. King’s legacy by giving back to our communities.