Today is MLK day, it celebrates the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His birthday is actually January 15th, 1929. It is observed every third Monday of January. It is one of four United States federal holidays to commemorate an individual person. Dr. King is known for was the chief spokesman of the nonviolent civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. King's nonviolent doctrine was strongly influenced by the teachings of Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi. In 1964, King became the first black American to be honored as Time magazine's Man of the Year. His efforts were not limited to securing civil rights; he also spoke out against poverty and the Vietnam War. Other milestones: 1954 Selected as pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama 1955 Received his Ph.D. in systematic theology from Boston University 1955-1956 Led a successful effort to desegregate Montgomery, Alabama, buses 1957 Helped ...