The nation observes Martin Luther King Day every third Monday of January to commemorate the legacy of a man who helped to heal a troubled country. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man who gave hope to Americans during a time of injustice and mistreatment. He lived an exemplary life based on the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service.

Dr. King was a man of action. He put his life in danger by pursuing freedom and justice for all Americans. Dr. King played an important role in furthering racial justice and equality.

Junior Meryl Mindo said, “Dr. King has been an inspiration to me ever since I was bullied for my ethnicity when I was 13.”

In his famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” Dr. King dreams that America will become a “nation [that] will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed… that all men are created equal.”

Martin Luther King Day not only commemorates the man but also is a day to remember the values of equality and tolerance he preached. It is not a holiday solely for African-Americans, but for all ethnic groups in America.

Junior Aiona Kava said, “I feel that Martin Luther King Day also celebrates the racial equality of my ethnicity. I admire him because he was a strong man who fought for justice.”

Not only was Dr. King an activist, but he was also an advocate of nonviolent protest . He was the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

On Apr. 4, 1968, Dr. King was assassinated while standing on the balcony of a Memphis motel. Following his death, a federal holiday to honor such a man who had influenced and touched the lives of many Americans was suggested.

President Ronald Reagan officially signed Martin Luther King Day into law in 1983. It was first observed on Jan. 20, 1988, but the federal holiday was not observed in all states until 2000.