Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a day to honor Dr. King, who helped lead the civil rights movement. The first legislation for the federal holiday was introduced just four days after King was assassinated in 1968, but the King Holiday Bill was not passed in the House of Representatives until 1983. The Senate passed the bill later that year with a 78-22 vote.

According to The King Center, the holiday is to celebrate and encourage people to reflect on the principles of nonviolent social change and racial equality. Also, the day should be a day of community service and interracial cooperation.

In observance of the holiday, area schools are not holding classes today.