Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement.  His courage and selfless devotion gave direction to thirteen years of civil rights activities and he received several hundred awards of his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, including Time Magazine's 1963 Man of the Year, The John Dewey Award from the United Federation of Teachers in 1964, and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

During his lifetime, Dr. King was a member of several national and local boards of directors and served on the boards of trustees for several institutions and agencies.  He was elected to membership in several learned societies, including the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Science.

Dr. King's philosophy of nonviolent direct action, and his strategies for rational and non-destructive social change, galvanized the conscience of this nation and reordered its priorities.

The United States Congress passed holiday legislation in 1983 establishing the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  The FUSD Board of Education recognizes the day of Monday, January 18, 2010, as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and encourages honoring Dr. King with appropriate lessons and activities in district schools.

All Fontana Unified School District schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 18, 2010 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday.

Why we Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

During his lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sought to forge the common ground on which people from all walks of life could join together to address important community issues.  Working alongside individuals of all ages, races and backgrounds, Dr. King encouraged Americans to come together to strengthen communities, alleviate poverty, and acknowledge dignity and respect for all human beings.  He believed that service was the great equalizer.

On January 18, 2010, as we celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday, Americans across the country will celebrate by honoring the life and work of Dr. King.  Hundreds of thousands of Americans will remember and memorialize Dr. King by participating in service projects in their communities.  Together, they will honor Dr. King's legacy of tolerance, peace, and equality by meeting community needs and making the holiday "A day ON, not a day OFF."

Online Resources

• The King Center
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service