Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King History

The observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is dedicated to honoring Martin Luther King Jr's unwavering commitment to racial equality and social justice. This day celebrates his significant contributions as well as his teachings and methods of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience, which were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. The commemoration is a reminder to continue the struggle against racial discrimination and bigotry globally, promoting King's vision of a "beloved community" where all people share in the wealth of the Earth.

The relevance of Martin Luther King Jr's life and teachings to the people in India is visible through his strong ties with India's own icon of peace and nonviolence, Mahatma Gandhi. King, during a trip to India in 1959, expressed his admiration for Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance which he had successfully employed during the civil rights movement in the United States. Like Gandhi, King championed equality and freedom, and both of them became symbols of hope for oppressed people worldwide.

In India, Martin Luther King Jr. Day isn't a public holiday, but it is observed by many, particularly those involved in social justice movements. Educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and communities conduct seminars and rallies to bring awareness to King's principles of nonviolence and tolerance. These activities serve as platforms to stimulate discussions on racial discrimination and social inequality, echoing King's pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable society. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January, concurrent with the date observed globally.

Facts about Martin Luther King Jr.

• Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was 35 years old, which made him the youngest Peace Prize winner at the time.
• I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., August 28, 1963.
• He is one of the two Americans whose birthdays are observed as federal holidays, the other one being George Washington.
• Dr. King visited India in 1959 along with his wife Coretta Scott King, at the invitation of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The trip greatly impacted his life and reinforced his belief in nonviolent resistance. He met with important Indian leaders and visited several significant sites, including the Gandhi Memorial in New Delhi.
• King often drew parallels between the struggles of African Americans in the United States and those of Indians under British rule. He believed that just as Gandhi's non-violence brought about Indian independence, it could also be employed to dismantle the oppressive systems of segregation and discrimination in the United States.

In the News and Trending in India for Martin Luther King Jr.

Top things to do in India for Martin Luther King Jr.

• Watch a movie about MLK. Some popular films include: Our Friend Martin (1999), Selma(2014) and The Witness (2008)
• Films to watch about Martin Luther King Jr. in India are:
  The Story of God - Specifically the episode titled "The Power of Miracles" in which Morgan Freeman traces the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on Martin Luther King Jr.
  I Am MLK Jr. - This documentary touches upon King's admiration for Gandhi's principles.
  King in the Wilderness - Gives an overview of the final 18 months of King’s life.
  Freedom's Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Stories - This documentary discusses how both Gandhi and Martin Luther King’s ideologies influenced the Civil Rights Movement in America.