Martin Luther King Jr. is a civil rights activist our nation and community honors annually on the third Monday of January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day). But to celebrate and observe this holiday, it is important to know the history of the federally recognized day, and the ways Albion celebrates.
According to Blackmore from HISTORY, the fight for the holiday began just days after the assassination of Dr. King on April 4th, 1968. The active civil rights congressman and one of the few Black people in Congress at the time, John Conyers, lead the charge. For years the bill for MLK Day failed, but through the hard work of the Congressional Black Caucus, the bill passed 15 years later in 1983. In 1994 an additional act was signed into law, the King Holiday and Service Act. “Inspired by King’s life of service, Congressman John Lewis and former Senator Harris Wofford proposed the legislation to encourage Americans to find common causes and methods of improving their communities” National Museum of African American History & Culture. And finally in 2000, all states recognize the federal holiday Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Albion’s History
Albion’s personal history with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. begins on March 13th, 1963. On this day in our history Dr. King not only visited Albion but spoke in Goodrich Chapel. According to local historian, Frank Passic, Dr. King “spoke on the topic ‘The American Dream’” and warned that “ ‘Northern segregation may be more serious,’ and that ‘We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools.’” During his visit, Dr. King informally met with 100 people.
Albion High School students march in memory of Dr. King, April 1968. Photo courtesy of Frank Passic.
Fast forward to 1968, according to Albion College history professor, Wesley Dick, Albion mourned the loss of Dr. King with Albion High School students carrying a casket in a staged march. 200 marchers travelled from West Broadwell Street to the high school for a memorial service.
Now, Albion celebrates MLK Day with various volunteer opportunities, an annual community celebration with a resource fair, and Albion College’s The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation and Community Celebration. This year, MLK Day is January 20th, keep an eye out for local volunteer opportunities, and join the community for the 8th Annual MLK Community Celebration& Resource Fair. Located at Marshall Opportunity High School, doors open at 5:30PM, free dinner begins at 6PM, Monday, January 20th. Then join the college and community for the Annual MLK Convocation, Monday, January 27th at 7PM at the Bohm Theatre. This year’s convocation theme is “We are Only as Strong as our Roots”, with guest speaker, Dr. Ketwana Schoos.
Sources:
Blakemore, Erin. “The Fight for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.” HISTORY, January 12, 2024, https://www.history.com/news/martin-luther-king-jr-day-controversial-origins-of-the-holiday.
“The 15 Year Battle for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.” National Museum of African American History & Culture. https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/15-year-battle-martin-luther-king-jr-day
Passic, Frank. “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Albion.” AlbionMich.com, June 27, 1993. https://www.albionmich.com/history/histor_notebook/930627.shtml?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3dCEZHv9Seur-NKcp6rVi6sch24zrRTDbZ6pH5S7NzZvuBjRB2enHxU-o_aem__rgv7DrSW2EnLPZgS8GF-A
Dick, Wesley Arden. “Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. is to Remember Albion’s Place in America.” Albion.edu, April 4, 2018. https://www.albion.edu/post/remembering-martin-luther-king-jr-is-to-remember-albions-place-in-america/
Written by Cassidy Porter