MLK Day: Life and legacy of civil rights icon (34 images)

By UPI Staff

Americans observe the holiday dedicated to civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. every January near his birthdate: January 15, 1929. This year, the holiday falls on Monday. King was assassinated in 1968. Here is a look back at his life and previous celebrations of his legacy.

First lady Michelle Obama (C), with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden (R) pause to pay their respects at the King statue in the Capitol Rotunda as they leave the 2013 Inaugural luncheon following Barack Obama's inauguration on January 21, 2013. Pool Photo by Bill Clark/UPI

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Barack Obama and his daughter Sasha participate in a community service project at the D.C Central Kitchen in celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 20, 2014. Pool Photo by Olivier Douliery/UPI

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The Obamas help paint a mural depicting King at the Jobs Have Priority Naylor Road Family Shelter in Washington on January 16, 2017. Pool Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI

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Yolanda Renee King (L), MLK's granddaughter, and Parkland, Fla., student Jaclyn Corin address the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington to demand action to end gun violence in schools. Photo by David Tulis/UPI

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