As Martin Luther King Jr. day is approaching, we should take the time to acknowledge and appreciate his hard work to reform our country. On the 16th of January, schools and jobs get the day off in remembrance of historical figure, Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). It is a day to honor and respect his efforts of uniting the people of America.

In the early years of America, life was very segregated. The people of color were treated differently than those with lighter skin. They were not given the same opportunities and privileges due to racism. Martin Luther King Jr., being a man of color himself, believed this to be extremely unfair. He did not agree with the idea of white people holding control and power over those with darker skin. MLK felt that the color of someone’s skin was not a good enough reason to judge them and treat them as if their value and worth in life is less. Many people of color look up to MLK because of his works to create a better world and life for them.

MLK was born on January 15th, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the son of a Baptist minister. MLK had gotten a doctorate degree in theology in 1955. He had helped to organize the first major protest of the African-American civil rights movement, the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. During this movement, those who disagreed with racism and supported the movement participated in this boycott. Instead of using buses because of the segregation of people of color that took place in them, they walked or used bicycles. MLK also organized and led marches for African Americans’ right to vote and just other basic human civil rights. He was an activist that advocated for non-violent protests and wanted to make a change.

The most famous moment of Mr. Kings’ influence on America was on August 28, 1963. He conducted a march on Washington for jobs and freedom. He made his way up the marble steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to explain and talk about his vision of improving America. This is where he delivered his eminent “I Have A Dream” speech. In this speech, he vocalized the issues of inequality and how he hopes to make it safer and more enjoyable for people of color to live and be comfortable without the worry of harassment and harsh treatment. MLK later received a Nobel Peace Prize at the age of thirty five. He was the youngest man to have gotten this award. Due to all of the good Martin Luther King Jr. has done, we have a day to recognize him each year.