Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, also abbreviated as MLK Day, is a federal holiday commemorated to celebrate and honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and his efforts toward social justice and equality. For more information, keep reading on how Martin Luther King, Jr. had historic ties to UCLA, in observance and honor of this day. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. visits UCLA 

According to a UCLA 100 webpage entitled  “Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks at UCLA”, the civil activist came to UCLA campus and spoke to around 5,000 of the Bruin community on April 27, 1965. The webpage continues how the speech, entitled “Segregation Must Die,” shared similar sentiments to his “I Have a Dream” speech on the Civil Rights Movement and fighting for equality. To read the full article, click the link below. 

At the start of Tongva Steps, also known as Kuruvungna Steps, at Wilson Plaza, Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke for 55 minutes about these topics. Thanks to the UCLA Department of Communication for the 2013 digitized archive, the 1965 speech is available in its full form, as of Jan. 15, 2015. To listen to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech on our campus from over 50 years ago, click the link below. 

A Martin Luther King, Jr. plaque at UCLA

Have you ever noticed a plaque at the base of the Tongva steps while headed to class or the library? According to the UCLA 100 article, there is a plaque there to commemorate the speech Martin Luther King, Jr. gave in 1965. Next time you walk by, try to spot the plaque, a reminder of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s efforts towards advocating for human rights and equality. 

The Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., resources and toolkits

The UCLA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Office has a webpage, entitled “Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1928-1968),” dedicated to remembering civil rights activists and providing resources on “dismantling racism,” “preventing discrimination” and “principles against intolerance.” Click the link below for further information.