It has been nearly 50 years since the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., but his inspiring example and powerful words are as impactful and important now as ever. In recognition of MLK Day, celebrities and politicians have taken to their Twitter and Instagram accounts to honor the iconic civil rights leader's life and legacy.
"Dr. King taught us to recognize the dignity and worth of every human being," tweeted congressman John Lewis. "He was the moral compass of our nation. #IHaveADream"
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was my friend, my mentor; he was like a big brother.January 16, 2017
Dr. King taught us to recognize the dignity and worth of every human being. He was the moral compass of our nation. #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
He marched for us. #goodtrouble pic.twitter.com/ulzC3CBAehJanuary 16, 2017
He protested for us. #goodtrouble pic.twitter.com/DDkjh7USxDJanuary 16, 2017
He went to jail for us. #goodtrouble pic.twitter.com/saHB1WsfbVJanuary 16, 2017
He gave his life for us. pic.twitter.com/tKtk0fvY6JJanuary 16, 2017
We honor Dr. King’s legacy through service to our community and adherence to the philosophy & discipline of nonviolence #MLKDay #goodtrouble pic.twitter.com/URVlDGT2YqJanuary 16, 2017
Michelle Obama included a shout-out of support for Congressman Lewis in her MLK Day note, writing, "Thinking of Dr. King and great leaders like @repjohnlewis who carry on his legacy. May their example be our call to action."
Thinking of Dr. King and great leaders like @repjohnlewis who carry on his legacy. May their example be our call to action. -moJanuary 16, 2017
President-elect Donald Trump, too, shared a message on Twitter: "Celebrate Martin Luther King Day and all of the many wonderful things that he stood for. Honor him for being the great man that he was!"
You know, I think I could, but that's not really the point. The point is Trump is a fraud.January 16, 2017
While Bernie Sanders attached a call to action to his MLK tribute, reminding politicians that it is not enough to simply tweet nice things about Dr. King on his namesake holiday—if you truly believe in what he stood for, you must take action and carry out his vision.
While it's easy for politicians to say nice things about Dr. King, at the same time they are suppressing the vote. #MLKDAYJanuary 16, 2017
I say to politicians: If you believe in what Dr. King stood for, stop the voter suppression, allow people to participate in our democracy.January 16, 2017
To honor Martin Luther King Jr. we must fight to carry out his bold vision. He saw the relationship between racism and economics and war. pic.twitter.com/izRzi65ln8January 16, 2017
Many celebrities also took to their social media platforms to salute King and share their favorite photos and quotes.
Zendaya posted a video on Instagram in which she visits the spot in Washington D.C. where King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Civil Rights March in 1963.
Alicia Keys shared the song "Why? (The King of Love Is Dead)" by Nina Simone, which was written as a tribute to King. Keys wrote: "Why?"was written for MLK &it beautifully honors his life's work. Today more than ever I share the sentiment #MLKDAY"
"Why?"was written for MLK &it beautifully honors his life's work. Today more than ever I share the sentiment #MLKDAY https://t.co/qshzd1I9c9January 16, 2017
We even saw a collaborative homage of sorts take place on Twitter. Fifteen stars—starting with Chance the Rapper and continuing with such prominent names as Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga—came together to each tweet a line from "I Have a Dream."
#IHaveADream today!January 16, 2017
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
and every hill and mountain shall be made low, #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
the rough places will be made plain and the crooked places will be made straight #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."" #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with. #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
knowing that we will be free one day. #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
From every mountainside, let freedom ring! #IHaveADreamJanuary 16, 2017
Scroll down to see more messages and tributes to Martin Luther King, Jr.
In honor of their legacy, @FLOTUS and I are joining Americans across the country in a day of service to our community here in D.C. #MLKDayJanuary 16, 2017
Fave photo of Dr. King. Fresh. With the future in front of him. Trying to embrace the future in front of me with his rigor + focus. #MLKDAY pic.twitter.com/J0YKs4fwKiJanuary 16, 2017
Life's most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #MLKDayJanuary 16, 2017
"The time is always right to do what is right." Thank you Dr. King for your eternal leadership, moral challenge & inspiration #MLKDayJanuary 16, 2017
"The time is always right to do what is right." Thank you Dr. King for your eternal leadership, moral challenge & inspiration #MLKDayJanuary 16, 2017
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived his life serving others. Melinda reflects on how to follow his example. #MLKDay https://t.co/qTlPELVQngJanuary 16, 2017
'I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.' - Martin Luther King, Jr.January 16, 2017
Remembering the words of one of our nation's greatest heroes, and celebrating this day in his honor. #MartinLutherKingJr #MLKDAY pic.twitter.com/INcFUf8MU0January 16, 2017
Respect. Now more than ever. #MLK #MLKDAYJanuary 16, 2017
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." - Martin Luther King Jr. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/g29uJdwLCRJanuary 16, 2017
Happy Birthday Dr. King! pic.twitter.com/JoJMMvfIpaJanuary 15, 2017
The King . pic.twitter.com/7RyuSNJ5T6January 16, 2017
I stand with #JohnLewis. #Ihaveadream #happymlkday pic.twitter.com/P5m8GLBvW6January 16, 2017
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” — #MartinLutherKingJr #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/j3ymcEBps6January 16, 2017
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