Martin Luther King Day of Service Archives

17 01, 2022

MLK Day 2022 – A Day On, Not a Day Off

By judythemorgan|2022-01-16T15:24:32-06:00January 17th, 2022|Holidays|0 Comments

Today we mark the 27th anniversary of the national day of service. The day was set up to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

Martin Luther King day began in 1986 as a day to recognize the man. Dr. King was a husband, father, friend, and fierce advocate for the betterment of all people. You can read more of his life here: https://nationaltoday.com/martin-luther-king-jr-day/

Dr. King advocated for nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice. He organized sit-ins, marches, and peaceful demonstrations that highlighted issues of inequality. Through his nonviolent activism during the civil rights movement, he changed things for others. His actions earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

In 1994, Congress changed the designation to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service – “A Day On, Not a Day Off.”

SOURCE: DoDEA

Dr. King believed life’s most persistent and urgent question was

“What are you doing for others?”

This day offers an opportunity to reflect on the past, think about the present, plan for the future, and remind us of what is truly important. A day to make a commitment to engage with your community and honor the legacy of Dr. King.

Whatever you choose to do today, think about my favorite Dr. King quote:

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

15 01, 2018

It’s Martin Luther King Day

By judythemorgan|2018-01-14T15:32:54-06:00January 15th, 2018|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

Martin Luther King’s calm civil disobedience and charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, here and around the world.

He inspired so many that, in 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – the youngest man to receive the prestigious honor.

Through his lectures and dialogues, he stirred our conscience. His words continue to be as meaningful today.

President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 to establish a yearly federal holiday to honor the man and his accomplishments. Today has been designated as that day.

As you honor Dr. King today, pause and consider these MLK quotes.

On Leadership

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

On Love

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

On Getting Along

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

On Faith

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

On Service

“Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

Additional legislation passed in in 1994 establishing Martin Luther King Day of Service to encourage citizens to use the federal holiday as an opportunity to give back to their communities. Why not let this MLK Day be the start of a year in which you make a positive impact?

16 01, 2017

Thoughts on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

By judythemorgan|2017-01-16T16:52:35-06:00January 16th, 2017|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 designating today as a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments.

Dr. King’s nonviolent activism during the civil rights movement changed things for so many. He believed “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

Today offers an opportunity to reflect on the past, think about the present, plan for the future, and remember what is truly important.

We are all in the same boat now.

More recently, the 1994 King Holiday and Service Act passed to encourage Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action volunteer service.

This quote sums up Dr. King’s attitude on service

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

As we reflect on Dr. King’s words, I encourage all of us to find a project that forwards King’s vision and participate. Let today be the start of a year in which we make a positive and peaceful impact in our community and the world.

Let’s make this boat we’re in a better place.

19 01, 2015

Peace and MLK Day

By judythemorgan|2015-01-19T06:00:40-06:00January 19th, 2015|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

Martin Luther King was the pivotal figure in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. His calm civil disobedience and charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, here and around the world.

President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 designating the day as a federal holiday to honor the man and his accomplishments.

Dr. King inspired so many, so much that in 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – the youngest man to receive the prestigious honor.

When we think about amount of violence prevalent today and the increasingly violent movies, television shows and video games, I totally agree with Dr. King’s daughter, Bernice.

“Dr. King’s philosophy of non-violence is more relevant, I believe, than it was 10 years ago,” she said. “America has an enormous appetite for violence. I don’t know why we have such an affinity for that, but I do know it has to stop.”

Through his lectures and dialogues, he stirred, and still stirs, our conscience. Consider these MLK quotes as you honor him today:

On Leadership

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

On Love

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

On Getting Along

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

On Faith

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

On Service

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

And as you think about that last quote, I remind you of the legislation passed in in 1994 establishing Martin Luther King Day of Service to encourage citizens to use the federal holiday as an opportunity to give back to their communities.

Even if you don’t have the federal day off, I encourage you to find a work that forwards King’s vision and participate. Let MLK Day be the start of a year in which you make a positive and peaceful impact in your community.