All 50 states mark King Day of observance - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Brief Article

Jet, Feb 1, 1993

For the first time all 50 states across the U.S. recently marked the observance. of Martin Luther King Day.

The third Monday in January was signed into law as a federal holiday in 1983. King Day was first commemorated in 1986, marking the slain civil rights leader's struggle for racial equality. After years of debate, Arizona and New Hampshire finally joined in this year's celebration of the federal holiday.

Candlelight prayer vigils, poetry readings celebrating King's life and work were held throughout the nation.

In Atlanta, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-violent Social Change, an 11-day observance was scheduled to mark the anniversary of King's 64th birthday. The center sponsored a prayer breakfast, a re-enactment of civil rights marches and a concert at the Atlanta Civic Center that featured Stephanie Mills, Tramaine Hawkins and Dick Gregory among others.