Happy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! This day commemorates the great work civil rights leader and activist, Dr. King blessed the world with in his short but impactful life. Check out 12 rare photos of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inside.

Last Wednesday, Jan. 15,  would’ve been the 95th birthday of Mr. Black Excellence himself, Martin Luther King Jr.

On this day, we celebrate the life of a true king who fearlessly fought for what he believed in and lead a whole race of people to believe in themselves.

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Dr. King was more than just a freedom fighter. He was a father, husband and scholar whose work changed the way Black folks were viewed in America.

Unfortunately, we’re still living in a time when the MLKs of the world are needed. According to the legend himself, the change in our society starts with education: “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” One day, we shall all be free — and thanks to MLK for walking the path before us, so that we now have a blueprint to that freedom.

Check out some rare, classic photos of the late king below. We will forever celebrate MLK… for generations and lifetimes to come. May he rest in power.

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