Today is Martin Luther King Day, set aside to honor the life accomplishments of the man who is most closely associated with the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.

A number of activities are planned locally and that’s something we’re glad to see. Despite Dr. King’s contributions and assassination, there have been times over the years in the greater Marquette area where not a lot was going on, in terms of commemoration activities. It’s never entirely clear to us why that was.

President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law in 1983, creating the federal holiday. Although it was initially observed three years later, it took until 2000 before all 50 states observed it as Martin Luther King Day.

In a time when intolerance around the world is increasing, it’s instructive to recall the forces that opposed establishment of Martin Luther King Day. It was, to some degree, led by U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, a Republican from North Carolina, who accused King of, among other things, having communist ties.

By way of connection, Sen. Helms also actively opposed civil rights, gay rights, women’s rights, disability rights and labor rights. Thankfully, his voice was drowned out by overwhelming congressional support.

Regrettably, the heroes of the past, even the most important ones, tend to fade over time, even though their influence continues to be felt.

Let’s hope, going forward, that doesn’t happen with Dr. King.