Martin Luther King Day is an American federal holiday celebrated
on the third Monday in January. Let’s find out more
about Martin Luther King.
King was
born on January 15th 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia.
After he graduated from college, he decided to enter the
ministry. He became a Baptist preacher, like his father before
him. While he was in college, he was greatly impressed by
Mahatma Ghandi and his non-violent civil disobedience campaign
that he used successfully against the British rule in India.
Eventually he became convinced that the same methods could be
used by the blacks to obtain civil rights in America. He was
particularly struck by Ghandi’s words, “Through our pain we will
make them see their injustice.”
Shortly
after he was assassinated in 1968, a campaign was started for
his birthday to become a national holiday. In 1986 Martin
Luther King Day was observed for the first time.
This
holiday celebrates the life and achievements of King who is most
well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public
transport and for racial equality in the USA.
He was
the youngest man (at age 35) to be awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize.
Using
this brief outline about Martin Luther King, the students can
transform it into a conversation between an American
student and an Italian student. The Italian student can ask
questions regarding King and why his birthday is celebrated
nationally in America.
I believe
this to be a valuable lesson in English that touches on an
outstanding leader of our times. A person who must be
remembered.
A
Nice Thought:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Martin Luther King