WORLD News – 19 January 2026
by GCT Team
Today, Monday 19 January 2026, the United States observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday commemorating the birthday of the legendary civil rights leader (born 15 January 1929). Marked annually on the third Monday of January, it serves as a national day of service, reflection, and recommitment to equality.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. rose as a Baptist minister in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1954, championing nonviolent resistance against racial injustice. His leadership sparked the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, protesting segregation on public transport, and culminated in his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, demanding an end to racism.
In 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for his unwavering commitment to nonviolent change. Tragically, his life ended on 4 April 1968 when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, while supporting striking sanitation workers and planning the Poor People's Campaign against poverty.
A profound Greek connection endures in this legacy: In March 1965, Archbishop Iakovos, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, marched alongside Dr. King during the historic Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights. The image of the black-garbed Archbishop standing shoulder-to-shoulder with King graced the cover of LIFE Magazine (26 March 1965), symbolizing Greek-American and Orthodox involvement in the fight for civil rights.
As The New York Times noted at the time, the striking photograph “marked a new presence of Greek-Americans and the Greek Orthodox church in American life.” Archbishop Iakovos' courageous stand—despite risks and opposition—highlighted shared values of justice and human dignity, bridging communities then and inspiring reflection today.
The holiday, established by law in 1983, features marches, speeches, community service, lectures, and cultural events across the US. Greek Orthodox parishes and Greek diaspora organisations often mark the day by honouring this historic alliance and recommitting to combating discrimination in all forms.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day reminds us that the struggle for equality continues—rooted in nonviolence, love, and solidarity.
This article was researched and written by the GCT Team.
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