The US Embassy in Islamabad has announced its closure on Monday, January 15, 2024, in honor of the US federal holiday, as conveyed in a statement by the embassy. The closure is in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday in the United States, during which citizens commemorate the life and enduring legacy of the renowned civil rights activist and Nobel laureate.
According to the embassy’s Facebook post on Sunday, official business will resume on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday of January, is a significant occasion marked by various events and reflections across the United States.
Martin Luther King, Jr., who tragically lost his life in 1968 on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, is celebrated for his tireless advocacy through non-violent protests and marches aimed at securing equal rights for Black Americans.
In a historic moment in 1963, over 200,000 individuals from diverse backgrounds and walks of life gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, where King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. The following year, then-President Johnson successfully passed legislation prohibiting all forms of racial discrimination.
At the age of 35, Martin Luther King, Jr. became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, dedicating the prize money of $54,123 to the advancement of the civil rights movement. His contributions remain a pivotal part of America’s history, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day serves as a reminder of his enduring impact on the quest for justice and equality.
