Twitter Responds To MLK Day

January 15 is the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since 1986, the third Monday in January each year has been set aside in the United States as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The idea of the...
Twitter Responds To MLK Day
Written by Mike Tuttle
  • January 15 is the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since 1986, the third Monday in January each year has been set aside in the United States as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

    The idea of the holiday was first brought up for vote in Congress in 1979, but the bill did not pass. A petition was circulated in the early 80’s that garnered six million signatures, putting public pressure on Congress to have another go.

    From the beginning, the holiday touched off debate from state to state about whether is should and would be observed there. Arizona put it to public vote, and 76% of Arizona voters rejected it. As a result, the NFL moved the planned Super Bowl of 1993 from Arizona to California.

    South Carolina held out until 2000 before making the observance an official state holiday. Up until that time, employees could choose between celebrating Martin Luther King Day or one of three Confederate holidays.

    Modern social media allows people to post their thoughts on MLK Day for all to see. Some people post MLK quotes to Twitter. Some express opinions of their own.

    “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – MLK 27 minutes ago via HootSuite · powered by @socialditto

    http://t.co/uRP05jf9 [ Politics ] Open Question : MLK ……..wasn’t a racist why has his legacy become one of racism with extremists? 2 minutes ago via twitterfeed · powered by @socialditto

    Easy for MLK to shine in his era. He didn’t have Bill O’Reilly or Howard Stern asking the tough questions. No MTV to ask about his undies. 2 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    #MLK is the greatest American we have ever produced. 10 minutes ago via UberSocial for Android · powered by @socialditto

    Its a step in the right direction that we have an MLK day. The next step would be to not be a racist nation that hates poor people. 24 minutes ago via Mobile Web · powered by @socialditto

    “Don’t you ever touch a black man’s radio.” – MLK Jr 18 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto

    He once had a dream… later that day he shared it with his friend MLK Jr. 8 hours ago via HootSuite · powered by @socialditto

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