On Monday, January 19th, 2026, the United States will be celebrating and remembering Dr Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), and how he has inspired generations of Americans. MLK was an activist and minister, who is most remembered for being a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, and was tragically assassinated at the age of 39.
Martin Luther King Jr. lived from January, 1929 to April, 1968, and was a Baptist minister and social activist. He is one of the most famous leaders during the fight for ending legal segregation of African Americans in the South, and greatly promoted nonviolent protest tactics. King led the 1955 Rosa Parks Montgomery bus boycott and continued to fight until the end of his life. Some other facts about MLK are that in October 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, he entered college when he was 15 years old, he was arrested 29 times (most charges were dropped), and he had survived an assignation attempt a decade before his death. Overall, MLK lived a life that was about fighting for others and knowing what he was fighting for.
MLK day became a federal holiday on January 20, 1986, by President Ronald Reagan, and then later became an officially observed holiday in all 50 US states in 2000. There were many events that led to the fight for having MLK day, from music to marches, and speeches. After being denied for many years, the tide turned in the early 1980s, when the CBC collected six million signatures in support of creating this holiday. In addition, Stevie Wonder wrote a hit song, “Happy Birthday”, about MLK. Some of the lyrics went, “I just never understood / How a man who died for good / Could not have a day that would / Be set aside for his recognition…in peace, our hearts will sing / Thanks to Martin Luther King.” Then in 1983, the Civil Rights Movement veterans gathered in Washington to celebrate the 20th anniversary of what MLK had accomplished there with the March on Washington and his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) celebrates MLK on the day of, as well as many educational opportunities throughout January. MLK day will also feature events nationwide, from community marches, service clean ups, educational workshops, youth summits, cultural celebrations, and more. These events will be around the themes of civil rights, justice, and building a beloved community.
Northwestern College will also be celebrating MLK day on campus. There will be a MLK Day chapel provided by Campus Ministry at 10:05am. In addition, the Social Work Department, Bridge Center and Campus Ministry team will be holding a prayer event on the same day at 7pm in the Vogel Room. This event will be held in the Vogel room and Dr Valerie Stokes will speak on the topic; “‘Can Anything Good Come Out of Nazareth?’ Dr Martin Luther King Jr.’s Call to Compassion, Justice, and Neighborly Responsibility.” This topic was chosen because it echoes the powerful life of MLK, whose ministry and leadership consistently challenged society to see sacred worth where it had been denied. Overall, this time will be a time for reflection and learning, as well as a candlelight prayer in order to demolish racism in the world.
Since MLK Day has been established, it has continued to influence people across the nation and worldwide, such as Canada, Japan, and Netherlands, as he did so much more work in trying to make the world a better place. So, this Monday, January 19, take a moment to reflect and remember the life of Martin Luther King Jr, and try to treat all those around you with kindness.
PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH
