The federal holiday, Martin Luther King Day, started on January 20th, 1986. Since then, the federal holiday falls on the third Monday of January each year. This day reflects the hard work Dr. King put into making today’s possibilities a reality.
Martin Luther King Jr., born on January 15th, 1929, was a minister and, more importantly, a social activist known for his famous marches and “I Have A Dream” speech. Dr. King felt his responsibility as a Black man, in the era of segregation was to want more for his people. He not only dreamed of freedom for himself but also freedom for Black boys and girls in the future. He executed his dreams in a more peaceful approach as opposed to his counterpart at the time which was Malcolm X.
Because of Dr. King, Black people now have far more rights than we had in 1969. Dr. King wished that kids of any color could coexist in the same environments such as school and sports. He also wished Black people could vote and have a say in their government without restriction. In 2025, 56 years later Black children all over the U.S. live as one and are encouraged to be as diverse as possible. 56 years later, both Black women and Black men can vote.
Lauren Payton, an African American senior at Central High School, says MLK’s legacy is something to look up to. She believes Dr. King’s greatest accomplishment was dying because it got people talking and set off real change. She feels that without Dr. King’s bravery, she and her community wouldn’t have a voice. She also loves taking the time to celebrate the Black community because it reminds her of where she came from and how much work it has taken over time to create change.
MLK Day took a turn for the better because even though it was a federal holiday not all schools in the states had the holiday off. In the early 2000s schools across all 50 states began taking the day to celebrate his honor. Unfortunately taking the day off only stops on a school level. Most jobs still require their employees to come in and work.
Maiyann Carter is also an African American Senior at Central High School who feels Dr. King’s Ambition impacted future generations’ relief for not having to worry about their rights as a human. When asked why celebrating Black history is important, Carter said, “It is to remember our culture, where we came from, and what we had to deal with.”
While learning about the bad stuff that has happened to Black people, it is also important to remember the good creations that came from Black people. This is important to Taylor Henderson, a Central High School senior. Henderson is helping out with Central’s NAPPID Day, and she says, “We are not just focusing on slavery but also shedding light on the communities that were formed by Black people.”
