---

On Monday, January 20, we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with school programs, remembrances and replaying of speeches, all to celebrate the life of an influential man in the history of America. Even though many may not remember the time of his speeches, rallies and campaigns, or like me were not even born yet, the legacy of King's greatness has carried on into the next generation and will certainly carry on into the generations to come.
Growing up we all read and learned about Martin Luther King and the importance of all he has done in the world of civil rights. We have read that he attended segregated public schools, that he was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and that he was arrested during a bus boycott in 1956.
He delivered a great speech, "I Have a Dream" and was named Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1963. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and became the prize's youngest recipient.
He left behind a legacy that influenced many in the realms of social, racial and civil justices. The fact that we still celebrate all he has done today, years after all he had done for America, is something special.
Greatness doesn't have to be witnessed first hand to be recognized and admired over generations. As time goes on, many of those who were present in time for King's greatest accomplishments will be gone but his legacy will still remain.
It is my hope that we can all carry on his legacy and continue to celebrate the strides made by King during a time not all of us can say we witnessed first hand.