Black & white photo of MLK Jr. marching in protest with a group of people

Martin Luther King Jr. (second from left) marches in Alabama in 1965.

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King’s Dream

Martin Luther King Jr. fought to make the world a better place.

January 20, 2025
By the Editors of Scholastic News

As You Read: How did Martin Luther King Jr. try to make sure people were treated fairly?

Dr. King: A Leader and a Hero
Watch a video to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Martin Luther King Jr. (second from left) marches in Alabama in 1965.

It was a hot August day in 1963. Martin Luther King Jr. walked up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. He was about to make history. 

About 250,000 people were gathered at a protest called the March on Washington. King started his now-famous “I Have a Dream” speech. In it he shared his vision for the future. He wanted equal rights for everyone, no matter the color of their skin. 

King was one of the most important leaders of the civil rights movement. This was the long struggle during the 1950s and 1960s to gain equal rights for Black Americans. King led peaceful marches and gave powerful speeches to try to bring about change.

On January 20, people across the United States will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The national holiday is a time for people to honor King.

It was a hot August day in 1963. Martin Luther King Jr. walked up to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. He was about to make history. 

About 250,000 people were there. They were at a protest called the March on Washington. King started his “I Have a Dream” speech. In it he shared his hope for the future. He wanted equal rights for everyone, no matter the color of their skin. 

King was a key leader of the civil rights movement. The civil rights movement was a long struggle for equal rights for Black Americans. It occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. King led peaceful marches and gave powerful speeches. He worked to bring about change.

On January 20, people across the United States will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It’s a national holiday. It is a time for people to honor King.

Important Events in King’s Life

JANUARY 15, 1929: Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia.

JUNE 18, 1953: King marries Coretta Scott. They later have four children.

JANUARY 15, 1929: Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia.

JUNE 18, 1953: King marries Coretta Scott. They later have four children.

Rue des Archives/The Granger Collection

AUGUST 28, 1963: King delivers his now-famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C.

AUGUST 28, 1963: King delivers his now-famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C.

Entertainment Pictures/Alamy Stock Photo

MARCH 21-25, 1965: In Alabama, King leads a march from Selma to Montgomery to demand equal voting rights for Black Americans.

APRIL 4, 1968: King is shot and killed.

MARCH 21-25, 1965: In Alabama, King leads a march from Selma to Montgomery to demand equal voting rights for Black Americans.

APRIL 4, 1968: King is shot and killed.

Unfair Laws

During King’s life, segregation was a way of life in many parts of the U.S. Black people weren’t allowed to eat at the same restaurants as White people. They could not be treated at the same hospitals or sit in the same row on buses. Black kids and White kids went to separate schools.

Some laws even kept Black people from voting. And many businesses wouldn’t hire Black workers.

King believed this was wrong. He led peaceful protests to try to change these unfair laws. Some people threatened his life. But King remained peaceful. And he didn’t stop trying to bring about justice. 

During King’s life, there was segregation in many parts of the country. Black people weren’t allowed to eat at the same restaurants as White people. They could not be treated at the same hospitals. The weren’t able to sit in the same row on buses. Black kids and White kids went to separate schools.

Some laws kept Black people from voting. And many businesses wouldn’t hire Black workers.

King believed this was wrong. He led peaceful protests to try to change these unfair laws. Some people threatened his life. But King remained peaceful. He didn’t stop trying to bring about justice. 

Pause and Think

Why do you think King thought it was important to remain peaceful?

Why do you think King thought it was important to remain peaceful?

TPLP/Getty Images

King and his family at home in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1962 

The Dream Lives On

Sadly, King was shot and killed in 1968. His death shocked the nation. In the years that followed, people called for a special way to honor the leader and his legacy. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a new law. It made Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday. 

Many schools and offices in the U.S. are closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is celebrated on the third Monday in January. But not everyone takes the day off. That’s because the holiday is also an official day of service. Inspired by King’s message, hundreds of thousands of Americans will volunteer. People will collect food for the hungry, clean up litter in parks, help neighbors, and more.

A project called Realize the Dream encourages people to volunteer all year. The name was inspired by King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The goal is for people to do 100 million hours of community service by 2029. That year will mark the 100th anniversary of King’s birth.

By helping others, people can honor King—and keep his dream alive.

Sadly, King was shot and killed in 1968. His death shocked the nation. Over the years, people wanted to honor the leader and his legacy. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a new law. It made Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday. 

Many schools and offices in the U.S. are closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is on the third Monday in January. But not everyone takes the day off. That’s because the holiday is also a day of service. Inspired by King, many thousands of Americans will volunteer. People will collect food for the hungry. They will clean up litter in parks, help neighbors, and more.

A project called Realize the Dream asks people to volunteer all year. The name was inspired by King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The project has a goal. It asks people to do 100 million hours of community service by 2029. That year will mark King’s 100th birthday. 

By helping others, people can honor King. They can keep his dream alive.

Honoring King’s Dream

©Flip Schulke/Corbis via Getty Images

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” –Martin Luther King Jr.

Joe Shim is a sixth-grade teacher. He works at Pantera Elementary School in Diamond Bar, California. Shim has been leading student service projects for more than 30 years. When he heard about Realize the Dream, he got his school involved. 

Shim also got his community to take part. Soon the entire Pomona Unified School District was on board. There are more than 21,000 students there. They’ve done more than 18,000 hours of service in the past year.

“We’re uniting the whole school district,” says Shim. 

Joe Shim is a sixth-grade teacher. He works at Pantera Elementary School in Diamond Bar, California. Shim has been leading student service projects for more than 30 years. When he heard about Realize the Dream, he got his school involved. 

Shim also got his community to take part. Soon the entire Pomona Unified School District was on board. There are more than 21,000 students there. They’ve done more than 18,000 hours of service in the past year.

“We’re uniting the whole school district,” says Shim. 

Courtesy of Teo Family

Allison Teo delivers cat toys to a local animal shelter last November.

Twelve-year-old Allison Teo is one of Shim’s top volunteers. The sixth-grader has worked on many service projects. She has written thank-you notes to health care workers. She’s also collected items for people in need. Allison says even small acts of service honor King.

“He spent his entire life making a difference in our world,” Allison explains. “I think he would have really liked to see us continuing his legacy through service.”

Twelve-year-old Allison Teo is one of Shim’s top volunteers. The sixth-grader has worked on many service projects. She has written thank-you notes to health care workers. She’s also collected items for people in need. Allison says even small acts of service honor King.

“He spent his entire life making a difference in our world,” Allison explains. “I think he would have really liked to see us continuing his legacy through service.”

Courtesy of Pomona Unified School District

Students from Pomona Unified School District plant flowers at a school.

Courtesy of Pomona Unified School District

Students from Pomona Unified School District make care packages for kids in need.

  1. What was the civil rights movement? What part did Martin Luther King Jr. play in it?
  2. Summarize the section “Unfair Laws.”
  3. According to the sidebar “Honoring King’s Dream,” how are kids in Pomona Unified School District in California helping to make King’s dream real?
  1. What was the civil rights movement? What part did Martin Luther King Jr. play in it?
  2. Summarize the section “Unfair Laws.”
  3. According to the sidebar “Honoring King’s Dream,” how are kids in Pomona Unified School District in California helping to make King’s dream real?
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