17 Jan Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Upon returning to school after the holiday break, it’s not uncommon for students, including our South Hills Academy Eagles, to immediately ask “When is the next day off of school?” That day happens to be MLK day. But MLK day is so much more than simply a day off of school/work.
Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy are an important part of most US school curriculums and his “I Have a Dream” speech is a staple piece of writing that is studied in most history and English classes, including my own.
The campaign for MLK day to be a federal holiday began soon after his assassination in 1968. It was finally signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, and was first celebrated three years later. At first, some states gave the day alternative names, and it actually wasn’t officially celebrated in all 50 states as Martin Luther King Jr. Day until the year 2000.
It might also come as a surprise to learn that MLK day is not only observed in the United States. Various cities in Canada, Israel, Japan, and the Netherlands all observe the MLK holiday and honor the legacy of Civil Rights that Dr. King left behind.
We here at South Hills Academy wish all of our SHA Eagles and their families a peaceful MLK day.
“Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” – Martin Luther King Jr.