Philadelphia’s Influence on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Philadelphia has played a pivotal role in shaping the traditions of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As Daniel Thomas Fleming writes in the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, “Philadelphia has had a greater influence on Martin Luther King Jr. holiday traditions than any city other than King’s birthplace, Atlanta.” From Governor Milton Shapp signing one of the nation’s first state-level King holidays in 1978 to the city’s deep ties to civil rights activism, Philadelphia’s contributions to the observance of the holiday remain unmatched.
Philadelphia has had a greater influence on Martin Luther King Jr. holiday traditions than any city other than King’s birthplace, Atlanta.
Daniel Thomas Fleming
One of the city’s most significant contributions to King’s legacy came during the Girard College desegregation protests of 1965. Led by NAACP leader Cecil B. Moore (pictured above), the protests sought to open the historically segregated boarding school to Black students. Though initially skeptical of King’s nonviolent methods, Moore ultimately welcomed King to Philadelphia, where he addressed thousands at a rally near the school’s gates. This pivotal moment in the city’s civil rights history is a cornerstone of its connection to King’s work.
Published by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH) at Rutgers-Camden, the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia explores how these historic moments have shaped Philadelphia’s unique traditions for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. From service projects at Girard College coordinated by MLK 365 to demonstrations for racial and economic justice, the holiday in Philadelphia embodies both action and reflection. Learn more about this enduring legacy in Daniel Thomas Fleming’s essay, part of this comprehensive resource on the Philadelphia region’s rich history and culture.
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