Martin Luther King Jr., a reverend and civil-rights activist, was assassinated at 39. However, he inspired several movements and political changes.

The 42nd edition of a local MLK Day march is expected to draw an even greater turnout than usual this year, while many other events will mark the holiday in unique ways.

In 1983, about 20 years after King's "I Have a Dream" speech, legislation for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday of January cleared Congress and President Ronald Reagan signed it