Today we honor the life and legacy of the greatest civil rights leader in American History, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King dedicated his life to improving the world through his fight for equality and opportunity for all Americans through peaceful expression of opinion, unity, and care for one another. More than 50 years after his assassination in 1968, he is remembered as an activist, a prominent leader in the civil rights movement, and a pioneering historical Black figure.
His impact is still felt today, and we continue to look to him for strength when the fight for racial equality seems unending. Throughout his years of public service, he delivered thousands of speeches, the most notable being his 1963 “I Have a Dream” address in front of the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd of over 250,000.
At age 35, he became the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In accepting this award, he noted, “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. Indeed, it is a weapon unique in history, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it.”
Dr. King lived a life of service and encouraged others to do the same, saying, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” We applaud all who find time in their busy schedules to perform community service not only today, but whenever you can help others.
Through the life he lived and the words he spoke, Dr. King imparted wisdom that still holds true today. Among his most memorable was this call to action:
If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.
from NoblePrize.org and OprahDaily.com
