What Is Rosa Parks Day? Is it a federal holiday?
Rosa Parks Day is celebrated in some parts of the country to honor the civil rights activist who became a symbol of resistance against racial segregation.
Rosa Parks was a prominent African American civil rights activist best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a significant event in the US civil rights movement.
Her most notable act of defiance took place on December 1, 1955, when, after a long day of work, Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. At that time, racially segregated seating was the norm, and African Americans were required to yield their seats to white passengers.
Parks’ refusal to comply with the segregation laws led to her arrest, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This movement, organized by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., lasted for 381 days, during which African Americans in Montgomery refused to go on the city’s buses to protest racial segregation.
The boycott ultimately led to a Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional. This legal victory became a catalyst for broader efforts to challenge segregation and discrimination across the United States.
READ ALSO: Immigrants can travel to the US while waiting for a Green Card
What Is Rosa Parks Day? Is it a federal holiday?
Various states and localities honor the activist by celebrating Rosa Parks Day, which is not a federal holiday, but rather a commemorative day observed on different dates depending on the location.
California and Missouri celebrate the holiday every year on February 4, which is her birthday. Another date for observing Rosa Parks Day is December 1st, which marks the anniversary of the day when she refused to give up her seat.
READ ALSO: Cheap ways to send money abroad from the US
If you are interested in observing Rosa Parks Day in a specific location, you can check with local government offices, schools, or community organizations to find out if and when events or activities are planned to honor the civil rights icon.
Parks remained active in civil rights causes, working alongside leaders and participating in various campaigns for racial equality. She received many awards for her contributions to the civil rights movement, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of people committed to social justice and equality.