MLK Day Observance
MLK Day Observance
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born January 15, 1929 and died on April 4, 1968 at the age of 39, by assassination. Most remembered for the 13 years that he led the modern American Civil Rights movement from December 1955 until 1968, Dr. King was a Baptist preacher, awarded the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and author of five books and numerous articles. He was a husband to Coretta Scott King, and father to four children—Martin III, Yolanda, Dexter, and Bernice. He was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957 and over an eleven-year period, traveled over six million miles, speaking over 2500 times against injustice, disenfranchisement, segregation, and economic disparities.
An advocate for peace, respect, resolution and equity not only in America, but globally, Dr. King was a graduate of an HBCU, Morehouse College in Atlanta. Named Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1963, Dr. King became a symbolic leader of hope and opportunity for African Americans and the world. Norfolk State University pauses each year during the national King Holiday to remember and honor his legacy and continue his work advocating for the educational, economic, civic, social and political justice for all.
NSU MLK Day 2021 Virtual Celebration (Opening)
Fun Facts about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.1
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born Michael King Jr on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of 5, Dr. King’s father changed their names from Michael King to Martin Luther King, after the Protestant Reformation leader, Martin Luther.2
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. skipped grades in high school and entered Morehouse College in 1944 at the age of 15. He graduated as an ordained minister with a degree in sociology.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s first visit to Norfolk, VA was in the summer of 1961 at the City Arena, where he delivered a speech on behalf of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).3
In June 1963, Dr. King spoke at a rally sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference at Union Hall on East Washington Street in Suffolk, VA.4
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. attended the installation services of Dr. Milton A. Reid at New Calvary Baptist Church on October 29, 1966. Afterward he held a press conference where he was interviewed by Norfolk State College students.5
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested and went to jail approximately 29 times for acts of civil disobedience and often on ‘trumped-up’ charges. While incarcerated in jail, he penned his, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last public speech in Memphis, 1968, foretold his death. King was there to support the city’s Black garbage workers’ strike where he stated he would like to live a long life, but acknowledged that may not happen.
The first official celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday was in January 1986. The King holiday is celebrated on the third Monday in January, close to his birthday, January 15th. Dr. King lived 39 years and in 2021, the impact of his life lives on globally.
Remembering MLK
Remembering MLK 2021
NSU MLK Tribute