Martin Luther King Jr.’s courage, hope, and determined commitment to end segregation is why he’s one of the most influential figures of all time. There are plenty of movies to watch on Martin Luther King Jr.

Celebrations of his life are already taking place throughout the country – including here on the South Shore – ahead of the holiday in his name that did not become federally observed until 1986, nearly 20 years after his 1968 assassination. Martin Luther King Jr. Day wasn't recognized as an official holiday until 2000.

The Civil Rights leader's birthday is a federal holiday annually observed on the third Monday of January. You can celebrate this year by volunteering, joining a sing-along, attending a "social impact hack-a-thon" and more.