Every January, the country celebrates the birth and life of a history making man, Martin Luther King, Jr. On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Best known for his involvement in the Civil Rights Movements, MLK, Jr. gained notoriety as a man who spoke out for peace and justice. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his never-ending battle for equality through peaceful means, but he is probably most remembered for his "I Have A Dream" speech which he gave on August 28, 1963.

Throughout his life, MLK, Jr. dedicated himself to speaking out against racism and inequality. He was in Memphis to help sanitation workers protest against unfair wages and working conditions when he was assassinated. Dr. King had been standing on the balcony of his hotel room with friends when James Earl Ray shot him from afar. Martin Luther King, Jr. died from the gunshot wound on April 4, 1968.

Today his legacy lives on as the country honors the day of his birth with a national holiday. To learn about this great man and his life, you can check out The King Center site. For those who wonder how to celebrate the memory of Dr. King, check out the MLK Day of Service site. And for a great site to help teach your kids, and yourself, more about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., here is a link to the Family Education.com page all about him.

We hope you will pause to think about the man and the legacy that has given you the gift of a mid-January holiday.

~Julie a wife and SAHM. She is striving to teach her children how to love and accept every human being as equals. She hopes they will see a peaceful world in their lifetime.