Years ago, we as people, were not as united as we are now. A large roadblock called segregation would have separated possible friends, family members, and loved ones. However, thanks to many brave people, including one man in particular, this doesn’t take place today. That one brave man who fought so valiantly for equal rights is no other than Martin Luther King Jr.

“Martin Luther King changed the lives of many people. He led by example,” said sophomore Aundraya Wilson.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader, 1929-1968, who rallied for equal treatment of people of all colors and creeds. King took part in a series of protests against the unequal treatment of colored peoples and organized campaigns against the policies of segregation.

King had many ardent followers in his time and was viewed as a top civil rights leader. His most famous speech he gave to a crowd was the “I Have a Dream” speech that is still studied in schools and given praise by many Americans.  The youngest man to be nominated for and the receiver of the Nobel Peace Prize, King was widely admired. Assassinated in 1968, King continued to be a figure head for oppressed people and for freedom.

Commenting on the “I Have A Dream” speech, senior Dylan Shelton said “it was a turning point. It was an action in front of everyone and others, similar civil rights leaders, tried to imitate it.”

After the assassination, many of his followers started a petition to make King’s birthday a federal holiday, in honor of what he had done for the country. Supported by trade unions, the petition gained six million signatures before it was accepted in 1976 and became law in 1983. The holiday, however, was not celebrated across the country until 2000.

The holiday occurs on King’s birthday and is sometimes tied into Civil Rights Day. Nationwide, Americans celebrate the freedom the day represents, and it is usually a time for civil rights to be acknowledged.

Usually the holiday is celebrated by participating in civil right groups, teaching about civil rights in school, and some communities even have parades to celebrate King and his accomplishments.

The holiday is a day for civil rights; and also a day to commemorate an important man whose dream lives on today.

Freshman Alyssia Bowman said on Kings work today, “It [King’s work] still lives on. People still realize that under their skin, they’re still people. No matter what he went through at that time, he still had enough courage to say what was right.”