Between 1957 and his assassination on April 4, 1968, at age 39, Martin Luther King Jr. gave 2,500 speeches, wrote sermons and homilies and published five books. Meanwhile, the number of books written about King surely number in the thousands.

Jacksonville celebrated the life and legacy of MLK ahead of the civil rights icon's official holiday Monday with a gala breakfast tribute Friday.

King headed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and through his nonviolent marches and protests he helped pave the way to end legal segregation for Black Americans. His leadership and perseverance helped to create the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Philadelphians are sharing how they plan to honor the civil rights icon this weekend.

From breakfasts, to food drives, to service projects, Massachusetts communities this weekend will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

The 42nd edition of a local MLK Day march is expected to draw an even greater turnout than usual this year, while many other events will mark the holiday in unique ways.