MLK day is a fairly new national holiday.  Shortly after his assassination in 1968, members of congress hoped to make his birthday a national holiday to represent the strides in racial equality that he stood for.  This was no easy task, it took nearly 15 years for congress to observe MLK day as a national holiday. Stevie wonder even supported the idea by releasing a song named “happy birthday” as a way to support the idea of MLK day and a way to call out anyone who was against the idea. Sure enough, with support from millions, Martin Luther King Jr. day was first celebrated in the year 1986 on January 20^th.  The only other figures to be honored by having national holidays for their birthdays are George Washington and Christopher Columbus. MLK day represents the legacy of a man who brought hope and equality to oppressed minorities.