Today, January 21, was established as a U.S. federal holiday in 1986 to honor and celebrate the life of American Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968). King was a Baptist Minister, activist, orator, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience, King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.