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There are over 1,000 streets and several dozen monuments around the world named for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was an American Baptist minister who is best known for fighting for civil rights (equality for everybody no matter their skin colour) through non-violence (through marches, speeches and song). Although most U.S. states celebrate his day on the third Monday of January, Canada still does not officially celebrate it. Other places across the globe show love to this amazing man and preserve his legacy:

Martin Luther King Jr. Street — Jerusalem, Israel

Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. It is considered a ‘holy’ or an important place by three of the world’s most popular religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam). In 1959, Dr. King and his wife, Coretta, visited the eastern side of Jerusalem, which was then part of Jordan. 

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"I Have A Dream" Mural — Newtown, Australia

Photo by Newtown graffiti licensed CC BY

Many in Australia have a deep respect for Dr. King and his leadership in the fight for fair treatment and opportunities for African-Americans in his country. A large, beautiful mural in Newtown, Australia reflects three themes: gender equality, environmental activism and civil rights represented by the portrait of Dr. King and reference to his iconic "I Have A Dream" speech.

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Westminster Abbey — London, England

Westminster Abbey, a large cathedral and one of the most popular attractions in the world, honoured Dr. King, a man who still inspires and gives hope to people everywhere, with a memorial statue in 1998.

The Centro Memorial Martin Luther King Jr. — Havana, Cuba

Dr. King believed in the practice of non-violence. He wanted to fight against those who were treating others unfairly by leading peaceful protests such as marches and rallies. At the Centro Memorial (similar to a community centre) in the capital city of Havana, young people are taught to stand up for their rights peacefully, just like Martin Luther King Jr. did.

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Martin Luther King Strasse — Bonn, Germany

The Bonn International School, on Martin Luther King Strasse, educates students of over 70 different nationalities. (Wikimedia/Hans Weingartz/CC BY-SA 2.0 DE)

People in Germany admire Dr. King’s beliefs and his efforts to make the world a better place. During the '60s, West German students used his non-violent sit-ins as a form of protest. A decade later, citizens sang the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome" while protesting a nuclear plant. A strasse (the German word for street) in Germany has been renamed after Dr. King, a truly amazing hero!