Published on Monday, January 20, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff and wire services

On Monday, U.S. citizens observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the U.S. Embassy and Consular Section remained closed in honor of the holiday. 


The embassy will resume its regular hours on Tuesday, operating from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 


Every year, on the third Monday of January, Americans commemorate King as a legendary civil rights leader who led peaceful protests against segregation and championed Black equality and voting rights during the 1950s and 1960s. 


King was a Baptist minister, activist, and political thinker who became a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement until his assassination in 1968. 


In recognition of his nonviolent opposition to racial inequality, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 14, 1964. Later in his career, he expanded his advocacy to address issues such as poverty and opposition to the Vietnam War. 


When King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, the nation mourned deeply. His death also ignited widespread anger, leading to riots in multiple U.S. cities. 

In 1977, King was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 2003, he received the Congressional Gold Medal. 

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, located in West Potomac Park near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., stands as a national tribute to his legacy. 

Across the U.S., citizens honor King with parades, prayer services, and community service events. 

According to Share America, the U.S. Department of State’s platform for sharing stories about American life, Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become a time for Americans to volunteer in their communities. Activities include preparing meals, cleaning parks, and aiding neighbors affected by disasters. 

At George Washington University, 550 students, faculty, and staff marked the holiday by assembling emergency kits for seniors. Amy Cohen, executive director of the university’s Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, noted that volunteering aligns with the principles of the Civil Rights Movement. “Service builds democratic values, fosters community connections, and strengthens networks,” Cohen said. 

The National Day of Service also inspires Americans to volunteer throughout the year, nonprofit and school officials say. Volunteerism in the U.S. rose by 5.1% between 2022 and 2023, marking the largest single-year increase on record, according to AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service. 

King’s holiday coincides this year with U.S. Presidential Inauguration Day, further emphasizing his enduring impact on American democracy.

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If the Reverend King were alive today, what would he be most proud to see? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com