Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day America! ♦ ♦ ♦ Google celebrates with lovely doodle

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
~~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
American clergyman, activist, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement

Happy MLK Jr. Day America! There are so many activities and volunteers throughout the U.S.A. are embracing the spirit by giving their time to all sorts of activities. Google is also celebrating Martin Luther King Day with an artistic Google Doodle. Also, happy belated birthday to First Lady, Michelle Obama who turned 50 Friday, January 17th and celebrated with a huge bday bash on Saturday.

Bill and Hillary Clinton and more than 500 guests attended the spectacular event which began Saturday night at the East Room of The White House and went into early Sunday morning. Entertainer John Legend sang "Happy Birthday," Beyoncé sang "Single Ladies Put a Ring on It" and Stevie Wonder songs included "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours."

More info on this Daily News article titled "SEE IT:Stars post pics from First Lady Michelle Obama's 50th birthday party."

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience. King has become a national icon in the history of American progressivism.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of Dr. King's birthday on January 15th. It is a federal holiday and all public schools, post offices, and government buildings will be closed. MLK Jr. Day was first officially observed nationwide in 1986.

There are many things to do to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. day. Below are some interesting things to read and also helpful resources to celebrate MLK day in NYC and the Tristate area:

♦ US pauses to remember Martin Luther King Jr. with parades, marches and service projects, FoxNews, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/01/20/us-pauses-to-remember-martin-luther-king-jr-with-parades-marches-and-service/
♦ Martin Luther King Jr. and the catalyst of change, Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/martin-luther-king-jr-and-the-catalyst-of-change/2014/01/19/dde0bf2e-8093-11e3-93c1-0e888170b723_story.html
♦ Martin Luther King Jr. "I have a dream" speech http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
♦ Martin Luther King Day with NYC Kids: Celebrations & Volunteer Opportunities for Families http://mommypoppins.com/newyorkcitykids/things-to-do-on-martin-luther-king-jr-day-with-kids-in-new-york-city
♦ Martin Luther King Day events: How to mark MLK’s legacy - Make the most of your time off. Mark the civil-rights leader's achievements at performances, programming and Martin Luther King Day celebrations in New York.http://www.timeout.com/newyork/martin-luther-king-day
♦ Complete Guide to Martin Luther King Day Events: Brooklyn Calendar - Martin Luther King Day — Honor Dr. King on January 20, 2014http://brooklyn.about.com/od/African-American-Black-Culture/tp/Complete-Guide-To-Martin-Luther-King-Day-Events-Brooklyn-Calendar.htm
♦ Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service - A Day On, Not a Day Off http://www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/days-service/martin-luther-king-jr-day-service
♦ 19 Kid-Friendly Martin Luther King Day Celebrations http://www.newyorkfamily.com/nyc-mlk-day-things-to-do-kids-children-family-celebrations-activities/
♦ MLK Day Kitchen & Dining Room Assistance New York, NY 10013 - January 20, 2014 Join Food Bank For New York City at one of our partnering agencies to help prepare and serve meals to New Yorkers in need on MLK Day! Use the holiday as a time to espouse the virtues of Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering to help your community in need! volunteer.foodbanknyc.org
♦ Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events - Here are nine ways to honor Dr. King's legacy this holiday weekend. http://nymag.com/nightlife/barbuzz/78862/
♦ Martin Luther King Day of Service, http://www.volunteer-center.org/mlk
♦ Martin Luther King, Jr. in New York , About.com http://manhattan.about.com/od/famousnewyorkers/a/mlknewyork.htm
♦ Martin Luther King Day events: How to mark MLK’s legacy Time Out New York http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/martin-luther-king-day-events-how-to-mark-mlks-legacy


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