Martin Luther King Jr. lived from 1929 – 1968 and was a spokesperson and leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He wanted equal rights for all people. He was best known for nonviolent activism, inspired by Mahatma Ghandi. In 1964, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance. He was assassinated in 1968, when he was only 39 years old.

This day is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of January, which is around Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday (January 15).

Activities

• Talk about diversity, equality, peace
• Describe how a carton of eggs all look different, but they are all the same on the inside
• Fair or Unfair Activity
• Teaching kids to be peacemakers
• Do something kind!

Food

• Make a mixture of snacks of different types and colors
• Stained glass jello

Books

• Crayon Box That Talked
• The Sneetches
• Books on Martin Luther King, Jr.