Students studied Martin Luther King., Jr.’s struggles for civil rights and world peace before getting a day off from school Monday to celebrate the holiday named in his honor.

Whidbey Island residents will have opportunity to gather and honor King’s accomplishments during two special events.

Unity Fellowship in Oak Harbor invites everyone to celebrate King’s life at 3:30 p.m, on Sunday, Jan. 15. The church is located at 620 Erin Park, off Goldie Road.

Local government, political, military and community leaders will speak. There will be praise and “some good Gospel singing,” according to Pastor Fannie Dean.

“All of the community is invited to keep the dream alive,” Dean said.

Dean has a copy of the proclamation issued by the City of Oak Harbor recognizing King’s work and underscoring the reason for the holiday.

“We urge all citizens to join us in this observance in order to honor this great American for his courageous and unselfish leadership,” the document says.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up in Georgia, where he witnessed the injustice of a segregated society. He led a movement that resulted in passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

“We will remember the work of Dr. King as we continue striving to meet the founding ideas of our great nation,” the proclamation says.

St. Augustine’s Episcopal Peace Fellowship in Freeland will host a community celebration of the non-violent witness of Dr. Martin Luther King and others at a special service at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16.

Bishop Sandy Hampton will speak, following a reading of exerpts from Dr. King’s speech protesting against the Vietnam War. The church is located at 5217 Honeymoon Bay Road.

Government offices, banks and schools will be closed Monday in observance of the holiday.