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A Few Things about Martin Luther King Jr.
First, here are a few interesting facts you may not have known about the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the holiday honoring his memory. MLK Day was the first federal holiday honoring an African American. Born in Atlanta, Dr. King’s birthday is actually January 15th, but the MLK Day holiday can fall anywhere between January 15th and January 21st. His birth name was Michael, but after a trip to Germany in 1934, his father changed both his name and his son’s name to Martin as a way of honoring Martin Luther. In 1964, at 35, he was the youngest man to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Dr. King was assassinated while standing on a second-floor balcony in a Memphis motel, on April 4, 1968. And his assassination in Memphis in 1968 wasn’t the first time someone tried to kill him. Ten years earlier, in 1958, he barely survived an attack from a mentally ill woman while he was signing copies of his book, Stride Toward Freedom, in a Harlem department store. The letter opener the woman used lodged against his aorta, and he was lucky to have survived. In 1974, King’s mother Alberta was also killed violently when a gunman shot her while she was playing the organ at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The gunman was there to kill Dr. King’s father but ended up shooting his mother because she was closer.
A Few Ways to Observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Big Bear
Big Bear is a little too small for its own MLK Day parade, but if you love a parade, there are other ways to enjoy one while you’re here. Many of our Big Bear vacation rentals have Wi-Fi, so it’s a breeze to stream a parade or march from anywhere in the country. Or, you can watch Dr. King give his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial or enjoy one of his sermons in comfort in your cozy cabin or on the porch overlooking the lake.
If you’re enjoying one of our more secluded Big Bear weekend getaway rentals without Wi-Fi, you can use the day to reflect on ways to “play it forward” or volunteer once you return home. A moment or two of quiet contemplation while snowshoeing or hiking through the San Bernardino Forest is a good start too. Or pack a few books on Dr. King’s life and service to read while you’re here. Snuggling up in front of the roaring fire with a book is a great way to end a long hard day of skiing or snowboarding. For a good introduction to Dr. King’s life, try Martin Luther King Jr.: A Life, by Marshal Frady.
Or while you’re making vacation plans, look for a local church or community center that has a community project scheduled and volunteer for the day. Or, arrange for hearty lunch for seniors or veterans at a local shelter.
Fun Things to Do While You’re Here
Winter is a great time for vacationing in Big Bear. It’s cold, but who cares when you’re out on the mountain in the snow? Head to Bear Mountain for snowboarding and a fast, young vibe. If you’re here with your family, want to try tubing, or enjoy a more traditional ski experience, Snow Summit is the place for you. Or use the free shuttle and enjoy runs at both resorts. And of course, you can enjoy the quiet solitude of snowshoeing through the forests on your own or hit the resort’s trails.
Big Bear Weekend Cabin Rentals for MLK Day
Whether you spend the entire day in quiet contemplation about the meaning of life, racial equality (or inequality), or how you can make a difference, or if you just want to forget about everything and just play in the snow ‘til you drop, Big Bear is a great spot to do both. We have a variety of Big Bear weekend cabin rentals, ranging from cabins fronting the beautiful lake to cabins nestled in the forest and more. Wi-Fi or no Wi-Fi, secluded or not, we have just the cabin to make this MLK Day a memorable one. Give us a call today for help finding that perfect volunteer opportunity and the perfect vacation cabin.