Martin Luther King Day ( also known as Equality Day) is January 20th. This is also Robert E. Lee’s birthday. Lee was a commander of the Confederate army during the Civil War. Some students may not even realize why they get a day off school. The day off is to celebrate and remember the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. This day is more than just a day off of school; it is a day to honor the sacrifices made by King for the advancement of equality in the US .
King led peaceful protests to end segregation in public transportation and suffrage. The first MLK/Equality Day was celebrated on January 20, 1986. However, Wyoming being the “Equality State,” it is called “Equality Day.” Martin Luther King Day is combined with many different federal holidays in addition to Equality Day in Wyoming.
Senior Ryli Ramberg said, “I have a mixed feeling about it, I appreciate the idea of having Equality Day but I think there should be equal representation for Martin Luther himself.”
Should students get the day off for equality day? Senior Mariah Warner said, “Yes, to ensure that people understand the message and importance of equality. Even though it may not seem as much of a big deal now, it really was back then and we can respect what it took to get where we are today.”
Former president Ronald Reagan signed the bill making Martin Luther King Day a federal law. The bank, the post office, all schools besides those in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida are closed on this day. Those states use that day as a make-up day, as they don’t observe it as a federal holiday. Some suggestions of activities for people to do on Equality Day is watch Martin Luther King’s speeches or get a group of friends together to watch a couple movies about the civil war and the injustice such as Selma.
Senior Brianna Warner said, “I think it’s important to remember Martin Luther King specifically because he didn’t only help majorly with the Civil Rights Movement, but he showed a great example of how peace can be obtained through peace and not violence, and I think that is something that needs to be remembered strongly through current events.”
Life in the US may have been very different today without MLK and so many others who sacrificed their lives for the betterment of America.