MLK memorial sculpture by William Tarr outside of Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Campus in New York City

© Randy Duchaine/Alam

It's MLK Day. Martin Luther King Day

Sculptor William 'Bill' Tarr created the large, untitled memorial that welcomes students to Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Campus in Manhattan. The steel block features quotations from King and famous phrases from the civil rights movement. It was designed to weather over time, changing in color and texture as it ages. The school was founded in 1975 and is now home to seven distinct high schools, each focusing on a different discipline, including law, technology, and the arts.

Today is the 36th celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the US. It's an observance that is intended to be 'a day on, not a day off': Many community organizations use the holiday as a way to encourage us all to give our time to help those in need. As the man himself said, 'Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.'