Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today we celebrate the life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. here in the USA. When I think of Martin Luther King Jr., many things come to mind... I am reminded of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s  famous "I have a dream" speech made in Washington, D.C. at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.  I am reminded of a civil rights leader who accomplished many things during his tenure among us... I am reminded of Martin Luther King, Jr. being the youngest recipient of the Novel Peace Price... And the tragic assassination of a life ended way too early.

Today I choose to celebrate the life, the message and the legacy left by Martin Luther King Jr.

The following is a quote from the Wikipedia biography page about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.:

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other nonviolent means. By the time of his death in 1968, he had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and stopping the Vietnam War.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. federal holiday in 1986.

For further reading about the life of Martin Luther King Jr., please check out the following three books:

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr.  
A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King, Jr

There are numerous books written about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. besides the ones I've mentioned here in my post. Feel free to explore other books about Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy.