2016-04-04 Mon

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social activist, who led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his assassination on 4th April in 1968.

He played an important role in ending the legal segregation of African-American citizens in the South and other areas of the United States, as well as the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Among several other honours, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Martin Luther King Jr. continues to be remembered as one of the most lauded African-American leaders in history, often remembered by his 1963 speech, "I Have a Dream."

He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and his nonviolent means. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.) is an American federal holiday since 1986, marking the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15.

The government of Ajman in 1970 has released a non-circulating 25 Riyal gold coin featuring King. The Kingdom of Canberra in 2002 issued a Fantasy banknote. Many countries from all over the world, like Congo Republic, Guinea, Maldives, Mozambique, France, and Yemen, have issued coins and stamps commemorating this messiah.

India too has issued a 20 Paise commemorative stamp featuring Martin Luther King Jr.