The 1979 Martin Luther King Jr. stamp is a powerful tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the struggle for racial equality and justice. As the leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. King championed the use of nonviolent civil disobedience to challenge segregation and discrimination. His leadership of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery marches were pivotal moments in the Civil Rights Movement, galvanizing public support and leading to the passage of landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered at the March on Washington, remains one of the most iconic and inspiring speeches in American history. This stamp, the first in the Black Heritage series to honor a contemporary figure, recognizes Dr. King's profound impact on the nation and his enduring message of hope, equality, and love.