Why Dr. Martin Luther King

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) was one of the pivotal leaders of the American civil rights movement.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States holiday marking the birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King.

The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honour began soon after his assassination in 1968.

It is now observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of King's birthday, January 15.

Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays.

It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. It is one of four United States federal holidays to commemorate an individual person.

Realising Dr Kings dream, President Barack Obama defied all the barriers that eluded many African -Americans from reaching the pinnacles of US democratic institutions.

Leaders like Martin Luther King and Barack Obama are a source of inspiration for people throughout the world.

We at Operation Black Vote believe that democracy can never fully address the concerns of minorities until this is sufficiently represented in public life.

We are still extremely under-represented in places of power and influence.

Our mission is to redress the imbalance.