Seattle’s recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day traces back to December 28, 1970, when Seattle City Council passed Resolution 22872 declaring January 15 as a city holiday to “express our gratitude for his services to mankind.” A copy of the resolution was sent to Dr. King’s widow Coretta Scott King, Washington Governor Dan Evans, and the Washington State Legislature. Documents filed with the resolution include responses from all three, with Mrs. King thanking City Council for the “very encouraging” council action.
The following month on January 8, 1971, both Seattle Mayor Wes Uhlman (as seen in the photos below) and Governor Evans also committed to celebrating Dr. King’s birthday by signing proclamations declaring that the city and state would honor him on January 15.
A couple of years later on January 15, 1973, City Council passed Resolution 23982 commemorating Dr. King’s life, and urging the Washington State Legislature to officially make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a “legal holiday.” In a letter sharing the resolution with Coretta Scott King, Councilmember Sam Smith remarked, “It is a small thing that we are trying to do in relationship to the great work undertaken and achieved by your late husband. We know that many thousands received inspiration from his works which will last far beyond any action which we may take…We hope that this small action will be taken in the spirit in which it was given.” Councilmember Smith also sent copies of the resolution to Governor Evans and the Washington State Legislature, though if responses were received, they were not filed with the record.
It wasn’t until November 1983 that the holiday was signed into federal law. The following year, Seattle City Council introduced a bill to amend the Seattle Municipal Code and declare that the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would be officially observed as a city holiday on the third Monday in January each year. During a public hearing discussing the legislation held on September 7, 1984, Charlie James representing the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Committee said, “I am overjoyed that you have taken this action, and hopefully children in the future…and the workers in the city will take that day to remember the man in the way that he should be remembered.” The bill passed unanimously and Ordinance 111890 was signed into law by Mayor Charles Royer on September 17, 1984.
In 1994 the city started presenting the annual “Pieces of the Dream” Diversity Award Ceremony in honor of Dr. King, and other city-sponsored celebrations over the years have included marches, rallies, special presentations, and workshops.
To see photos, documents, and audio/video recordings from the archives exploring how the City of Seattle has celebrated the holiday and honored Dr. King’s memory since 1971, check out our virtual collection highlighting past MLK Day celebrations in Seattle.