About 3 million people visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial each year.

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A Hero for All

January 19, 2026
By Alicia Green

Flip Schulke Archives/Corbis via Getty Images

Martin Luther King Jr.

It was August 28, 1963. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to a crowd of about 250,000 people. He described his hope for a nation where everyone is treated the same, no matter their skin color. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is one of the most famous of all time.

King spoke on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. This year marks the 15th anniversary of another memorial nearby. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial opened in 2011. It features a sculpture of King that is 30 feet tall! It also has a 450-foot-long stone wall. The wall has 14 famous quotes by King.

Helping Others

Visiting the memorial is one way Americans honor King’s legacy. On January 19, millions of people will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The holiday honors King as a leader of the civil rights movement. That was the long struggle in the 1950s and 1960s to gain equal rights for Black Americans. King led peaceful marches to try to change unfair laws. He gave many speeches too.

The holiday is also a day of service. People will volunteer to help others—just like King did.

Dr King: A Leader and A Hero
Watch a video to learn more about Dr. King’s life and impact.

1. Based on the article, what was Martin Luther King Jr.’s message in his “I Have a Dream” speech?

2. Describe some of the actions King took as a leader in the civil rights movement.

3. According to the article, what are some ways Americans honor King’s legacy today?

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