Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 2, 2025
On the third Monday of January, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Dr. King was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 until his assassination in 196. He advocated for voting, economic, and labor rights in the United States through civil disobedience, rallying against segregation and inequality.
King is perhaps best known for his influential “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered during the 1963 March on Washington. He also helped organize marches from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 to fight for voting rights for African Americans. Dr. King became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and has since received many posthumous honors. One of history’s most inspiring and influential civil rights leaders, Dr. King’s example reminds us that we can overcome injustice and create change when when we unite towards a common goal.
One of Dr. King’s most repeated messages was to call others to service. He summed this up succinctly in a sermon given in Montgomery, Alabama in 1957: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”
During this observance, we want to remind you that the Library is here to serve your needs. Whether you need to research local history, use a computer, or learn something new, the Lackawanna County Library System has free educational and informational resources available for everyone. Our Libraries aim to strengthen our communities in the spirit of Dr. King so that we all have ample, equal opportunities and can tackle the persistent challenges of the world.
Learn more about Dr. King by checking out one of these items by or about him from our catalog:
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. edited by Clayborne Carson
I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches that Changed the World edited by James Melvin Washington
A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. edited by James Melvin Washington
“I Have A Dream” (Recording)
Letter from Birmingham Jail, available on Libby or Hoopla
Selma (2014) directed by Ava DuVernay
I am MLK Jr. (2018) directed by Michael Hamilton & John Barbisan
MLK/FBI (2020) directed by Sam Pollard
