Malcolm X Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malcolm X Day |
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Malcolm X in 1964
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| Observed by | Berkeley, California, United States |
| Type | Nationwide festivities Local holiday (May 19) |
| Date | May 19 |
| 2025 date | May 16 |
| 2026 date | May 15 |
| 2027 date | May 21 |
| 2028 date | May 19 |
| Frequency | Annual |
Malcolm X Day is a special day in America that honors Malcolm X. It is celebrated on May 19, which is his birthday, or sometimes on the third Friday of May. This day remembers a very important leader from the Civil Rights Movement. People have suggested it become an official holiday in some states, like Illinois in 2015 and Missouri in 2019. Right now, only the cities of Berkeley and Oakland in California officially celebrate this day. City offices and schools close there.
The Story of Malcolm X Day
Malcolm X Day became an official holiday in Berkeley, California, way back in 1979. Since then, many people have tried to make it an official holiday in other places too.
In 2014, a group in Chicago suggested making it a holiday in Illinois. The idea for Illinois was to celebrate it on May 19th. This was different from Berkeley's tradition of celebrating on the third Friday in May.
Before that, there were attempts to make it a holiday in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.. People even suggested it become a national holiday, like Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 1993, Congressman Charles Rangel suggested it become a federal holiday to Congress.
In 2015, the Illinois Senate agreed to make May 19th Malcolm X Day. Even though the resolution passed, it is not yet on the official list of Illinois holidays.
How Different States Celebrate
| State | How it's Celebrated |
|---|---|
| California | Special events are held in San Jose and San Francisco. In Berkeley, California, it has been an official holiday since 1979. |
| District of Columbia | Schools like Malcolm X Elementary in Washington, D.C. celebrate this day. The first known celebration there was in 1971. It was once suggested as an official holiday. |
| Georgia | A festival has been held in Atlanta's West End Park since 1989. It was once suggested as an official holiday. |
| Illinois | Since 2015, this day has a special legal status in Illinois. |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis celebrates with the Malcolm X Conference. |
| Missouri | A bill (HB 172) was suggested to the state government to observe Malcolm X Day. |
| Nebraska | Malcolm X Day was celebrated in his hometown of Omaha starting in 1968. The city officially recognized it for many years, until at least 1997. |
| New York | In Harlem, New York City, people celebrate with a music event. |
| Ohio | Columbus, Ohio, holds the "Malcolm X Heritage Festival" to celebrate. |
| Oregon | A peaceful demonstration marks Malcolm X Day in Salem, Oregon. |
| Pennsylvania | Community activities are held in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and other places. |
| Tennessee | Nashville celebrates Malcolm X Day. |
| Texas | San Antonio celebrates Malcolm X Day. |
| Washington | A music festival at Umojafest marks Malcolm X Day. |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee holds a public event with speakers to celebrate. |
See also
