Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated each year on the third Monday of January to commemorate Dr. King’s birthday on January 15th–this year would have been his 84th birthday.
A renowned civil rights advocate and Baptist minister, Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to end racial inequality in America. Dr. King is known for his great skill as an orator–most well-known is his “I Have a Dream” speech, which was delivered in Washington D.C. in 1963. He was killed in Memphis, TN in 1968, just days before the US Congress passed the Civil Rights Act.
Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolence and community cooperation is often remembered with acts of service in addition to the national holiday. Chatham University will be celebrating his memory with a community service project in partnership with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.
Visit the first floor book display for books on Dr. King’s life and impact on American history.