Martin Luther King Jr was a very important man in history. He was an american baptist minister and activist who was a leader in the civil rights movement. He fought for black people and led many non-violent riots for their rights. That’s why we have a day in January to celebrate him because he made a difference in the black community. He wanted all races to be treated equal and not to be thought of as just an object.

Martin Luther King Jr day is held on January 16th every year to honor his life and his legacy and all that Mr. King has done for African Americans that’s why we get off school every third monday of January, “I think Martin Luther King Jr day is about the time when he got the message to us that all races are equal and the same,” Alejandra Perez-Melendez, 8th grade. Without him black lives would totally be different than what they are today, “To not celebrate Dr.king’s life would be a monumental mistake, especially during the many days of hate, and racially charged anger which threatens to pull us into the abyss of social anarchy,” Said Mr. Wetz, 8th grade social studies teacher.  Martin Luther King Jr day is not only a day to honor all that he has done but it’s also his birthday which makes the day even more special.

Mr. King delivered a public speech  at Washington D.C. at the civil rights march on August 28th, 1963 and this speech was called his “I Have A Dream” speech which is probably his most famous speech he has ever said because it talked about slaves and how African Americans still aren’t free today because they are getting put to the back of the bus when white people want to sit where they’re sitting and they’re being treated like animals, “His famous speech is about how racial equality is essential for people, and racism negatively affects the lives of black people,” Said Thompson. He also spoke about his dreams for freedom and equality arising from a land of slavery and hatred.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15th, 1929. He was an American baptist minister until he heard about the things that were happening to African Americans everywhere. And from 1950 to 1968 he was the leader in the civil rights movement he could’ve continued his leadership in the civil rights movement but he was assassinated by James Earl Ray on April 4th at 6pm on a balcony of the Lorraine motel in Memphis, Tennessee. He was there to lead a peaceful march in support of striking sanitation workers when he was killed, “The death of the American leading civil rights advocate sparked a wave of rioting in the black communities,” Said Rhyan Thompson, 8th grade. It was a very sad time when Martin Luther king died because he did so much for African Americans everywhere.

Martin Luther king Jr. was a great man who was very important to history. He did a lot for African Americans and he really made a difference in the black community. Without him nothing would be the same in the present lives of black people.