The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have had a profound impact on history. However, even events as significant as those involving Dr. King aren’t immune to the Mandela Effect. Here are two puzzling discrepancies people recall about Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy.
1. When Is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
The Memory: Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated in February during Black History Month.
The Reality: Martin Luther King Jr. Day has always been celebrated in January, specifically on the third Monday of the month, close to Dr. King’s birthday on January 15.
Many people distinctly remember the holiday being in February, likely associating it with Black History Month. This belief is likely tied to the common recollection that, after Christmas and New Year’s, there weren’t any widely celebrated holidays in January.
Why January?
Dr. King’s birthday, January 15, was chosen as a way to honor his life and contributions to civil rights. The campaign to recognize his birthday as a federal holiday began soon after his assassination in 1968. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law, and the first national observance took place on January 20, 1986.
2. The Nature of Dr. King’s Assassination
The Memory: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot at close range with a handgun.
The Reality: Dr. King was assassinated by a sniper.
Dr. King was fatally shot on April 4, 1968, while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The shot came from a Remington Model 760 rifle, fired by James Earl Ray, who was positioned in a boarding house across the street. The rifle was fired from a considerable distance, making it a sniper-style assassination, not a close-range attack.
What Happened After?
James Earl Ray was apprehended two months later at London’s Heathrow Airport. Ray initially confessed to the murder but later recanted, claiming he was part of a larger conspiracy. While debates over the circumstances of the assassination continue to this day, official investigations have consistently pointed to Ray as the sole perpetrator.
What Do You Remember?
These Mandela Effects about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spark intriguing questions about how collective memory works. Do you remember celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day in February? Or do you recall a different account of his tragic assassination? Let us know in the comments!
