Jan. 20 marks Martin Luther King Jr.’s (MLK) birthday, ninety-five years ago. This national holiday falls on a Monday each year, giving citizens of the U.S. time to reflect on the impact King left on the world.
MLK was a religious activist who came to be a national leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He was an advocate for the working class and the oppressed during the ‘60s and ‘70s, a time when racism was a major issue in America. Although it constantly put his life at risk, he worked to put America on the path to freedom and equality.
On Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta Georgia, MLK was born. His childhood home in Atlanta still stands, and is now part of a National Historical Park known as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Park. The park attracts many tourists and is a popular destination for both national and international visitors. After King’s assassination in 1968, the plans for the home were to restore the house as a history museum. Tours of the interior of the home are limited to 15 people and are on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the tour.
MLK Day is all about honoring and showing appreciation for Dr. King’s acts. Many people volunteer to help engage with their communities and honor King’s legacy through small acts of volunteerism and service.
Garrett Sandzimier, a math teacher at HBHS, said, “Volunteering… is all about supporting your community, so volunteering for the less fortunate honors [MLK’s] legacy in that everyone should be treated equally.”
Even doing something as simple as helping a friend in need, participating in a small local cleanup, or watching a documentary about MLK Day can show your appreciation and honor for this holiday.
“My dad and I usually do potlucks with friends and family and play games together,” an HBHS freshman, Bella Boggs, said. “We usually play cornhole and jenga outside.”
MLK Day serves as such a holiday, as National Parks all over California waive their entrance fees, making them accessible to all. This includes Yosemite, Death Valley, Joshua Tree National Park and more. Some monuments free of entrance include the Lava Beds National Monument and the Muir Woods National Monument. Around 400 National Parks are free of charge to the public in honor of King’s birthday.
MLK Day is the only federal holiday deemed as a National Day of Service by Congress. In California, beach cleanups are a common way to get involved. Both the Channel Islands National Park in Ventura County and the Habitat Restoration Dipsea Trail in Marin County host beach cleanups. These are just two examples of service events in Southern California.
Many families often spend their time together during this holiday. Wyatt Richards, a sophomore at Edison, said, “I think volunteering and definitely spending time with your family shows your honor on Martin Luther King Day.”
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an important national holiday that is honored by many. People can show their support through volunteering, engaging in the community, visiting national parks and more. Helping the community serves as a powerful reminder of MLK’s contributions to our country. It’s more than just a day off; it’s an opportunity to reflect on King’s fight for freedom and equality.
