Martin Luther King Day

The celebration of MLK day marks an important aspect of American History. After years of strife the African American people found a leader to champion their cause to gain equality. Their leader was not without faults but bravery and the ability to lead was not one of them. He fought to empower his people talking through the church and later marches in the most bigoted and dangerous cities to make his point.

He stayed the course through peaceful disobedience and marched in the front row of the marches walking with his head held high while being subjected to the most violent rhetoric and physical abuse. He built a team who moved through the south and mobilized millions of people both white and of African heritage to bring their cause to the doorsteps of Capitol Hill in Washington. For many of us who lived through these wild years remember that great gathering on the Hill when countless people assembled to hear that great speech by Martin Luther King.

That speech changed forever the way people perceived the social changes sweeping across America. He became a living legend and the rest of his life became history. Like so many American leaders he too was killed. It was a sadness that gripped the nation and leaders asked for calmness to save the nation form further bloodshed. His funeral was an event which placed his contribution to American History forever remembered..

The American People saw the need to have a day set aside for the nation to build on his work in gaining freedom and equality for a large segment of the population. Martin Luther Day stands right there with other American National Holidays in order of importance. He was a great American.