The political battle for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

11:05

January 16, 2023

The civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., center, waves to supporters Aug. 28, 1963 on the Mall in Washington DC during the March on Washington. King said the march was "the greatest demonstration of freedom in the history of the United States. (AFP via Getty Images)

Forty years ago, the idea of celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King as a national holiday was signed into law. The road to winning that recognition included a 15-year hard-fought battle.

Here & Now's Scott Tong talks with David Ikard, Vanderbilt University professor of African American and diaspora studies.

This segment aired on January 16, 2023.

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