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Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.

By: Jake | January 21, 2008 | Category: General

Today federal and state governments recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so their offices will be closed (along with banks and some other private enterprises).

Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King's birthday is on January 15th and after much debate nationally, President Ronald Reagan signed a law in 1983 designating the third Monday in January as the official federal holiday. This is consistent with Washington's Birthday, which is February 22nd, but has an official federal holiday on the third Monday of February because of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

In 1994, after Coretta Scott King testified before congress in support of making the King Holiday an official national day of humanitarian service, President Bill Clinton signed the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday and Service Act. The Act expanded the mission of the holiday as a day of community service, interracial cooperation and youth anti-violence initiatives.

The Corporation for National and Community Service says participation in the King Day for Service is increasing every year. The MLKDay.gov website has ways for you to get involved with volunteer opportunities all over the country.

So if you have the day off, go and help live out Dr. King's dream.

| Comments [2] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: community   holidays   jake   jr.   king   luther   martin   service   volunteering  

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I made a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day video that I think EVERYONE will enjoy. It’s really short, and should put a smile on your face.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AtugYg42mmc

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day everybody

David Spates

http://www.youtube.com/davidspates

Posted by davidspates on January 21, 2008 at 11:13 PM EST #

Thanks David!

I hope everyone had a great holiday, even those who didn't have it off. :)

Jake

Posted by Jake on January 22, 2008 at 08:25 AM EST #

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