Community Corner

Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Bethany and Woodbridge

Tell us what this holiday means to you and how you will celebrate?

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

For some, the national holiday honoring the prominent civil rights activist is a time to give back and serve the community, be it through removing graffiti or picking up litter in a local park.

For others, it’s an opportunity to educate themselves about King and his life's work. And for others, it’s a time to just kick back and enjoy the prolonged weekend.

Find out what's happening in Bethwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Holiday's History

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, now a U.S. holiday, took 15 years to create.

Find out what's happening in Bethwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Legislation was first proposed by Congressman John Conyers (D-Michigan) four days after King was assassinated in 1968.

The bill was stalled, but Conyers, along with Rep. Shirley Chisholm (D-New York), pushed for the holiday every legislative session until it was finally passed in 1983, following civil rights marches in Washington. 

Then-president Ronald Reagan signed it into law. Yet it was not until 2000 that every U.S. state celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by its name. Before then, states like Utah referred to the holiday more broadly as Human Rights Day. 

Now, the Corporation for National and Community Service has declared it an official U.S. Day of Service.

So, tell us — What does Martin Luther King Jr. Day mean to you? And what are you doing to commemorate King’s legacy?


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here