Martin Luther King Day - 17th January 2011 - an official government-sanctioned holiday

Americans on each third Monday of January honor the life and achievements of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., (1929–1968).
Evangelical Pastor, Activist, Hero, Icon"King's unique vision reshaped the landscape of American politics and society. In his brief life, he redefined what it means to be black in the United States, and, by extension, what it means to be an American. "
Life MagazineRead more: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1704734_1520199,00.html#ixzz1cUu3bhg9

 http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2006/January/20060109162734jmnamdeirf0.3977777.html##ixzz1cUrj1f4E

http://www.america.gov/st/pubs-english/2003/June/20050608091735pssnikwad0.4134333.html

http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2006/January/20060109162734jmnamdeirf0.3977777.html#

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1872501,00.html

King, Jr., Martin Luther Resources :http://free.ed.gov/keywords.cfm?keyword_id=954

Rare and unpublished photos of the Civil Rights Movement:

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1704734,00.html

Mass Movement
Dr. King addresses thousands of supporters gathered near the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, on May 17, 1957 during a "Prayer Pilgrimage" organized by the civil rights movement

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/martin_luther_king/1.html

We Shall Overcome

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/players.htm

Dr. King's Christian faith

impacted his leadership in the civil rights movement.

With the successful end of the Montgomery bus boycott, King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in order to take the civil rights struggle and his nonviolent message throughout the South. One of his most trusted aides urged him to drop the word Christian from the new organization. It was argued that such an explicit religious reference would alienate white Northern liberals, whose support would be crucial in the years ahead. King was adamant, however, and the word Christian remained. He also insisted that civil rights participants be guided by Christian principles. For example, volunteers in the Birmingham campaign were required to sign a "Commitment Card":

HEREBY PLEDGE MYSELF--MY PERSON AND MY BODY--TO THE NONVIOLENT MOVEMENT.

THEREFORE I WILL KEEP THE FOLLOWING TEN COMMANDMENTS:

1. MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
2. REMEMBER always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation-not victory.
3. WALK and TALK in the manner of love, for God is love.
4. PRAY daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
5. SACRIFICE personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
6. OBSERVE with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
7. SEEK to perform regular service for others and for the world.
8. REFRAIN from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
9. STRIVE to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
10. FOLLOW the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.