Martin Luther King Jr. Day in American Samoa in 2019

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States that is celebrated on the third Monday of January each year. It is a day to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader who fought for racial equality and social justice. Although American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States, it does not observe this holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister who became a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. He is perhaps best known for his "I Have a Dream" speech, which he delivered during the March on Washington in 1963. King was a tireless advocate for racial equality, and he used nonviolent tactics to bring attention to the injustices that African Americans faced.

Although Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not officially observed in American Samoa, many Samoans recognize the importance of King's legacy. The island is home to a large population of Pacific Islanders, many of whom have experienced discrimination and marginalization.

The principles that King fought for, such as equality and justice, resonate with many Samoans who have also struggled for recognition and respect.

In recent years, there have been calls for American Samoa to officially recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a public holiday. Advocates argue that it is important to acknowledge and honor King's contributions to the fight for civil rights, and that doing so would be a meaningful step towards greater inclusivity and unity.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observances