It's a federal holiday, which means government agencies, banks and many corporate offices will be closed for the day. Here's what's open and closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Nonessential government offices -- such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, public libraries and city offices -- will be closed.
Why do we celebrate Martin Luther King Day? The day commemorates the life and work of Dr. King, who was a Baptist minister and prominent leader in the American civil rights movement. People are encouraged to use the day to “reflect on the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change espoused by Dr. King.”
The civil rights movement was an empowering yet precarious time for Black Americans. The efforts of civil rights activists and countless protesters of all races brought about legislation to end segregation, Black voter suppression and discriminatory employment and housing practices.
How did the civil rights movement affect the world? The Civil Rights Act of 1964 hastened the end of legal Jim Crow. It secured African Americans equal access to restaurants, transportation, and other public facilities. It enabled blacks, women, and other minorities to break down barriers in the workplace.
How did the civil rights movement affect us today? One of the greatest achievements of the civil rights movement, the Civil Rights Act led to greater social and economic mobility for African-Americans across the nation and banned racial discrimination, providing greater access to resources for women, religious minorities, African-Americans and low-income families.
How did the civil rights movement impact American culture? Overview. As the American Civil Rights Movement successfully challenged legal segregation, it also created a cultural shift that transformed American music, fashion, and culture. Folk, blues, and gospel singers created harmonies and beats to drum forward the march for racial equality.
What did the civil rights movement inspire? And the civil rights movement pioneered many of the organizational forms and political strategies that are important to the gay movement, women's movement, the Latino movement, and many others.