Welcome to the 22nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Web site sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity.
Commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr.
| On November 2, 1983, former President Ronald Reagan signed into law House of Representatives Bill Number 3706 declaring January 15, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a national holiday. In December 1985, former Penn State President Bryce Jordan formed a President’s planning committee for Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition. Dr. James B. Stewart, director of the Black Studies Program at that time, served as the inaugural chair. The official recognition of this holiday began in 1986, and occurs on the third Monday in January each year. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in 1929, the second of three children. Early in his life, Reverend King recognized the evils of segregation and racial prejudice. He was an outstanding student throughout his years in school and went on to receive his Bachelor of Divinity degree in June of 1951. In a speech given during the ceremonies at the White House when Reverend King’s birthday became a recognized national holiday, Mrs. King touched the heart of our nation as she summarized her husband’s life: “In his own life’s example, he symbolized what was right about America, what was noblest and best, what human beings have loved unconditionally. He was in constant pursuit of truth, and when he discovered it, he embraced it. His nonviolent campaigns brought about redemption, reconciliation and justice. He taught us that only peaceful means can bring about peaceful ends, and that our goal was to create the love community.”America is a more democratic nation, a more just nation, a more peaceful nation because Martin Luther King, Jr. became her preeminent nonviolent commander. |
Contact Information:
Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity
Marcus Whitehurst, Ph.D.,Chair
Assistant Vice Provost for Educational Equity
314 Old Main
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 865-5906, Fax: (814) 865-3997
Statements of nondiscrimination and alternative media.
Copyright 2007 OVPEE
Web page last modified
January 30, 2008
MLK 2008 Poster Design by Heidi Yosinski.
Enlarged view.
Enlarged view.
Links of Interest
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MLK Visits Penn State in 1965 |
 Quick Time MOV - [ 6 min. ] |
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 Windows Media WMV - [ 6 min. ] |
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MLK Story from Penn State Live |
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MLK Archive |
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MLK - A Nation Remembers |