The promotion of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day actually started with the labor unions in their contracts. It was to recognize the strong labor ethic in Black history as well as the man most responsible for nonviolent activism. Martin Luther King, Jr. and labor unions were based in nonviolent activism. “The Sit-In” was one of the first forms of labor activism.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a federal holiday was initially defeated in the USA House in 1979. Four years later an Indiana US Representative Katie Hall would introduce a bill that would pass into law making Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a federal holiday.
Have a happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
