Bay County, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Every year on the third Monday of January, the United States celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Several events were organized in the Pandel over the weekend in honor of the late Dr. King. Many took the time to acknowledge how essential King's influence had been over the years.
"The Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday is a day designed to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge gaps, create solutions to social problems, and bring us all closer to fulfilling King's dream of a beloved community." gone," Dr. Rufus L. Wood, Jr., said the Bay County NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).
According to National Today, the holiday was first observed on January 20, 1986. It was celebrated on the third Monday of January instead of the birthday of the king. It follows the guidelines of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
"The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s time on Earth was limited to 39 years. The Civil Rights Movement 13 years. Oh, what a difference he made to the world. Dr. King used his time to make a positive difference to America and the world did," Wood said.
Some would say that King was a man of many talents, during his living time he served as a preacher, an orator, a theologian, a scholar, a writer, a humanitarian and even a civil rights activist. Raja's influence has inspired organizations as well.
"Our organization is built on a quote from Dr. King which states, 'Power without love is reckless and abusive. And love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is applied in the demands of justice and justice' done is love, which is the power to correct everything that love stands against,” said Black Voters Matter North Florida regional organizer Jameel Davis.
Davis was one of several guest speakers who participated in a virtual Zoom discussion honoring King while discussing the state of voting rights and election legislation in America.
For those who didn't know about the holiday, it was signed into law by former President Ronald Reagan on November 2, 1983.