History of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

POSTED: 11:22 AM PST Jan 12, 2012    UPDATED: 09:54 AM PST Jan 14, 2013 

Observed on the third Monday of January each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day has only recently been a holiday for all the people, all the time. Read on to learn more about the complicated history behind this special holiday.

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Library of Congress

Oct. 3, 1983, Helms tried to disparage King on the Senate floor by reading a paper called "Martin Luther King Jr.: Political Activities and Associations." Some Senators expressed outrage over Helms' actions.

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