Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023, declared by Governor Gavin Newsom, in the State of California
• Martin Luther King Jr Day is a federal holiday in the United States that honors the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
• The American Psychological Association President, Thema Bryant, PhD, calls on the nation to remain ‘maladjusted’ to racism, meaning to reject the idea that racism is an unmovable aspect of life and to actively work towards achieving racial equity
• King's legacy is one of nonviolence, civil rights, and social justice, and his message continues to inspire people around the world to work towards equality and equity for all.
• Banks and stock markets are closed on Monday, and generally, public schools observe the federal holiday too.
Martin Luther King Jr delivers his I Have a Dream speech during the 1963 March on Washington [File: AP]
Honoring the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr: A Call to Remain 'Maladjusted' to Racism"
Martin Luther King Jr Day is a federal holiday in the United States that is celebrated on the third Monday in January. It is a day to honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. King was born on January 15, 1929 and was assassinated in 1968 at the age of 39 in Memphis, Tennessee. The holiday is observed on the Monday closest to his birthday. This year, it is being held on January 16.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent leader in the civil rights movement and is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs. He played a key role in the American civil rights movement and is widely considered one of the most important figures in American history. He is most famous for his role in the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott and his March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. He also advocated for the rights of workers and the poor, and opposed the Vietnam War.
King's legacy is one of nonviolent resistance and civil rights. He is remembered for his powerful speeches and writings, including his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. He advocated for equal rights for all people, regardless of race or ethnicity, and his message of nonviolence and civil disobedience has been an inspiration for social and political movements around the world.
The holiday was officially recognized by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 and was first observed on January 20, 1986. However, it took until the year 2000 for all states to observe the holiday. According to the White House, only three people in the US have a holiday observed in their honor: Christopher Columbus, George Washington, and King.
As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day, it is important to remember his message of racial equity and to continue to work towards dismantling racism in all its forms. The American Psychological Association (APA) President, Thema Bryant, PhD, calls on the nation to remain ‘maladjusted’ to racism, meaning to reject the idea that racism is an unmovable aspect of life and to actively work towards achieving racial equity. The APA is dedicated to racial equity and is taking steps to disrupt systemic racism through research, training, and partnerships with community-based organizations.
To conclude: Martin Luther King Jr Day is a federal holiday in the United States that honors the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. King's legacy is one of nonviolence, civil rights, and social justice, and his message continues to inspire people around the world to work towards equality and equity for all. As we celebrate this holiday, it is important to remember his message and to continue to work towards dismantling racism and promoting racial equity.
PROCLAMATION
More than 50 years after his passing, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s call to stand up against injustice and protect the most sacred tenets of democracy continues to inspire our work to build a better world. As we confront the many challenges our state and nation face today, we draw strength from his legacy and powerful example of the impact we can have by uniting across our differences.
With people from all walks of life coming together to support their fellow Californians amid recent storms, we are reminded of the common humanity Dr. King underscored in his teachings, and the enduring truth that you don’t have to be somebody to do something. The incredible spirit of generosity and community on display across our state is a source of hope and resilience to all of us.
Dr. King provided a framework for how each of us can shape the future: Call out injustice and work toward something better. In a time when basic voting rights are under attack in our country and people are being targeted in senseless hate crimes, it’s crucial that we carry Dr. King’s call to action forward and use our moral authority to stand up for what’s right.
Let us honor Dr. King’s legacy by keeping alive the spirit of community and compassion that always sees us through challenging times and recommit to realizing his dream of a more equitable society and world.
NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim January 15, 2023, as “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.”
GAVIN NEWSOM Governor of California
ATTEST: SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D. Secretary of State
