Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is so much more than a day off from work or school to celebrate a strong man who spoke up against racism and rights for black people. Let’s delve into more about this tremendous, powerful, outspoken man and all of his courageous achievements.

When is Martin Luther King Jr. day? The third Monday in January

1955 MLK Jr. first came to national prominence during a bus boycott by African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama. During a 382-day boycott of the public buses, King was beaten and arrested and his home was bombed

1956 MLK’s demonstration led to the 1956 Supreme Court ruling making segregation on public buses unconstitutional

1957 He founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

1963 MLK and black supporters staged sit-ins at lunch counters of white-run diners in Alabama’s biggest city that refused to serve them. The Birmingham protesters were met with violent attacks from police, who used high-pressure fire hoses and police dogs on participants to break up demonstrations. At one of the protests, MLK was arrested and thrown in jail. During his incarceration, he wrote what became known as the “Letter from Birmingham City Jail,” a manifesto of sorts in which he argued that people had “a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” The violence in Birmingham prompted President John F. Kennedy to say, “The events in Birmingham... have so increased the cries for equality that no city or state or legislative body can prudently choose to ignore them.”

1963 March on Washington. The march drew more than 250,000 people to the National Mall and created a catalyst for the introduction of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

1964 Instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act

1964 At 35, became the youngest person awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

1965 Instrumental in the passage of the Voting Rights Act

1968 Assassinated on the balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis at only 39 years old

Though MLK was iconic and courageous, he only laid the groundwork for the fight against racism and black people everywhere. His fight still continues today. We use MLK to commemorate his tremendous strides and efforts, and should use his example to continue the fight for black lives everywhere.