Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day– a.k.a. MLK Day. It’s a day to recognize a man who risked his life to see his children live in a nation built on equality.

Here’s what you need to know about today:

5️⃣ In 1979, Coretta King (widow of MLK) led the charge in honoring her husband’s memory by petitioning for a national holiday to be created in his name. She testified before a joint hearing of Congress and organized a nationwide lobby to support the King-holiday bill, but the bill was defeated in the House by just five votes.

🎶 Following Coretta’s persistence to approve the national holiday, in 1980 prominent proponent Stevie Wonder released the song “Happy Birthday”– which became a rallying cry.

📅 The national holiday was officially created when the bill passed in 1983– 15 years after his assassination.

📜 It began being observed in 1986, three years after the passing of said bill. This makes this the 33rd year of celebrating the holiday.

🕯️ In 2000, S.C. was the last state to sign the bill recognizing MLK day as a paid holiday– the same year the Confederate was moved from the State House to the grounds out front.

🕯️ The first celebrations, held across the country on Jan. 20, 1986, consisted of marches, candlelight vigils, concerts, readings, church services, + teach-ins.

🎂 It’s always on the third Monday of January, in celebration of MLK Jr.’s birthday– Jan. 15.

👐 Since 1994, MLK Day has been observed as a national day of service– spent volunteering, giving back + donating to the community.

📅 This year marks the 51st anniversary of King’s assassination.

Want to celebrate here in CHS?
Honor MLK Jr.’s memory at the annual parade. Last year, 128 bands, floats, and groups marched in the MLK Parade as an audience of ~3,000 cheered them on.

MLK Day Parade | 8 a.m. (lineup), 10:30 a.m. (start time) | Burke High School | 244 President St. | Free | Parade route runs from the high school along Fishburne Street, then north to Sumter Street, east along Sumter Street to King Street, and then south to Marion Square, turning east onto Calhoun Street. Cannot make it in-person? Watch the live-stream via NBC WCBD News 2.

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Today, we hope you can take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices + vision of Martin Luther King, Jr.– and the likes of him who’ve dared to dream for a brighter future.

– The CHStoday team