A civil rights hero, Martin Luther King Jr., led the movement to end racial segregation and counter prejudice in the United States through peaceful protest. His speeches—some of the most famous of the 20th century—had a profound effect on the national consciousness. Under his leadership, the civil rights movement opened doors to education and employment that had long been closed to Black America. In 1983 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a federal holiday to honor King for his commitment to equal rights and justice for all. Martin Luther King Day was observed for the first time on January 20, 1986, and is still celebrated today. See more rare color photographs of King at the link in bio. Watch “Genius: MLK/X” Thursday, February 1 on National Geographic. Stream next day on disneyplus and hulu. #GeniusMLKX sheds light on the lives of Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, and how their dueling philosophies left a lasting legacy. Photographs by James P. Blair from the 1963...