This year, we celebrate and honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 15 on what would have been his 89th birthday. A federal holiday since 1986, falls on the third Monday in January. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia into a Christian family. A leader in the American civil rights movement, King’s philosophy in nonviolence defined how he advocated and fought for social justice. His philosophy was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas of love and nonviolence.
King was a Baptist minister, a Nobel Peace Prize Winner, and a civil rights leader who led, demonstrated and lived a life defending the rights of all Americans and encouraged a life of peace.
Many influential Latinos like Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez of the United Farm Workers were inspired by King to adopt a foundation of non-violence. He also inspired Raul Yzaguirre, the former president of the National Council of La Raza, to seek opportunities to advocate for all Americans who face injustices. King’s legacy continues to reach far and wide. Let’s always remember
Celebrations Across the Nation
Did you know that the City of San Antonio in Texas hosts one of the largest Martin Luther King, Jr. Day marches in the nation? The 2017 march drew more than 300,000 participants! The annual DreamWeek Summit is multi day event (January 5-20, 2018) and is comprised of a series of events with the main intent to “foster the free exchange of ideas on universal issues affecting the human race.” For more information about DreamWeek, please visit their website at www.dreamweek.org
Enjoy the outdoors by visiting any National Park Service site for FREE. The National Park Service is offering free admission to everyone in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to any of the 417 national park sites in the United States. Among those, there are a couple that honor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Georgia – Walk through Dr. King’s neighborhood in Atlanta that influenced his life and visit his birthplace, home, church, and gravesites.
- Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, Alabama – Retrace the steps of the 1965 Voting Rights March led by Dr. King on this 45-mile long trail.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, District of Columbia – Reflect on the words of Dr. King at his memorial near Lincoln Memorial, where he shared his dream for the nation in one of the most famous speeches in American history.
“I HAVE A DREAM” Speech (copyright)
If you have searched tirelessly for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech and are wondering why it’s so hard to find, especially in video format, you’re not alone. Please note that due to the United States court case, Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inc. v. CBS, Inc. (194 F.3d 1211 (11th Cir.1999) which involved an enduring dispute about public domain copyright status, the “I Have a Dream” speech in any form (text, media), is considered private property owned by the King Family and is not public domain. You can listen to an audio version and read the full text of the “I Have a Dream” speech featured on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University’s website as part of the King Papers Project.
References:
DreamWeek Summit
http://dreamweek.org/
Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. and his Support of the Latino Community
http://remezcla.com/lists/culture/mlk-latino-community/
MLK’s legacy in the Latino community
http://medasf.org/martin-luther-king-jr-latino-civil-rights/
“I Have a Dream,” Address Delivered at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/i-have-dream-address-delivered-march-washington-jobs-and-freedom
Why Is the ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech Copyright-Protected?https://www.nbcnews.com/video/why-is-the-i-have-a-dream-speech-copyright-protected-319477315948
53 years later, you still have to pay to use Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I have a Dream” speech
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/01/15/54-years-later-you-still-have-to-pay-to-use-martin-luther-king-jr-s-famous-i-have-a-dream-speech/?utm_term=.b04c9d9a98cb
Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inc. v. CBS, Inc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estate_of_Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.,_Inc._v._CBS,_Inc.
National Park Service Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/mlk-day.htm