Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a very important American. He fought in the Civil Rights Movement to end racial discrimination. He wanted equality for all Americans. In 1963 during the peaceful March on Washington, he gave a famous speech "I Have a Dream." Here are some excerpts from the speech:

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

...

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

In 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr. won the Nobel Peace Prize. Sadly, Dr. King was shot and killed by James Earl Ray on April 4, 1968.

Yesterday, January 18, 2010, the United States celebrated Dr. King's birthday with the national holiday Martin Luther King Day. We celebrate this holiday on the 3rd Monday of every January to remember Dr. King and his dreams for peace and equality in our country, a struggle which is not finished.