“On August 28, 1963, nearly a quarter of a million people gathered in the August heat on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to hear the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speak. People traveled to our Nation’s Capital from places as far away as Atlanta and Los Angeles to witness one of the defining moments in American history. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King articulated the founding dream of America, the vision of our Founders for all Americans to live as ‘an heir of the legacy of dignity and worth.’ Today, we pause to honor the incredible life and accomplishments of Dr. King, who helped shape the Civil Rights Movement, gave hope to millions experiencing discrimination, and whose enduring memory inspires us to pursue a more just and equal society.” – White House Proclamation on Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday 2020
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Did You Know?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 92 years old last Friday. The civil rights leader, minister, and recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize was born in 1929. Today is the national holiday, honoring his birth and legacy.
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In February, we will celebrate National African American (Black) History Month and the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent.
The following facts are available thanks to the public’s invaluable participation in U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the information shared by each respondent as we continuously count and measure America’s people, places, and economy.
48.2 million
The Black population, either alone or in combination with one or more races, in the United States in 2019.
87.9%
The percentage of African Americans age 25 and older with a high school diploma or higher in 2019.
124,004
The number of Black-owned employer businesses in the United States in 2017.
