MLK Day: Sports stars from Dwyane Wade to Bryce Harper remember King

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated the third Monday of January to mark MLK’s January 15 birthday, but more importantly to remember the contributions of the United States’ most famed civil rights advocate.

President Ronald Reagan signed MLK Day into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later, but it wasn’t until 2000 that the holiday was officially observed in all 50 states.

Sports stars from Dwyane Wade to Bryce Harper posted tributes to King on Instagram to commemorate his contribution to elevating race relations in the country through non-violent protests — an effort that cost the Baptist minister his life at just 39 years of age.

I have the same DREAM! Thank you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr!

A video posted by dwyanewade (@dwyanewade) on Jan 16, 2017 at 7:27am PST

Remembering the great Martin Luther King Jr! #MLKDay #MLK

A photo posted by Sugar Ray Leonard (@sugarrayleonard) on Jan 16, 2017 at 9:34am PST

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Martin Luther King Jr.

A photo posted by Russell Wilson (@dangerusswilson) on Jan 16, 2017 at 8:43am PST

Everyone has a role on this earth, some roles may be larger than others. Trust Gods plan. #MLK

A photo posted by Victor Cruz (@teamvic) on Jan 16, 2017 at 9:27am PST

‪"What we do for ourselves, dies with us. What we do for others & world, remains & is immortal." – Albert Pine‬ ‪Thank you, Dr. King! #MLKDAY ‬

A photo posted by Greg Jennings (@theofficialgj) on Jan 16, 2017 at 8:47am PST

#mondaymotivation #mlk

A photo posted by Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods) on Jan 16, 2017 at 3:30pm PST

Today we celebrate the great things this man did for our country! For the strength that you gave everybody to dream and the keep going/ never give up mentality🙌🏻 #MLK

A photo posted by Bryce Harper (@bharper3407) on Jan 16, 2017 at 8:48am PST

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it, is really cooperating with it." #MLK #MLKDay

A photo posted by Demarcus Ware (@demarcusware) on Jan 16, 2017 at 12:37pm PST

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” #mlkday

A photo posted by Julian Edelman (@edelman11) on Jan 16, 2017 at 12:16pm PST