How Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a federal holiday
First observed in 1986
The first official Martin Luther King Jr. Day was held on Jan. 20, 1986, and among its many events was a gala at the Kennedy Center organized by singer Stevie Wonder.
The inaugural observance was not without controversy, as a commission organized by Congress to oversee festivities fell short of their funding goal, raising only $400,000 for a goal of $1.5 million.
Some claimed the Kennedy Center event failed to offer affordable tickets, while others alleged that white professionals received a disproportionate share of the paid work tied to the holiday events.
“Despite the wrinkles in this first celebration, which next year should be all ironed out, the excitement, participation and anticipation are high,” reported The Washington Post in 1986.
“And perhaps in 20 years, no one will remember the difficulties in establishing the King holiday, but instead will remember that once a man walked among us who was a living symbol that all people truly are created equal.”
