Today is a day to both celebrate and remember a hero to many Americans.

Kids in Laurel County learned about the man behind this national holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King was a man many feel is responsible in some ways for unifying our nation.

Kids in London say they look up to Martin Luther King, Jr. and could not thank him enough for what he did for our nation.

No matter your age, race, creed, or color, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is someone many people look up to.

"If it wasn't for him, there's no telling what this world would be like today," said Debbye Allen, a youth director in Laurel County.

"It makes me proud to say that Martin Luther King is my hero," said 16-year-old Tabitha Baker.

Some say Dr. King's persistence and dreams make him a good role model for anyone.

Presentation organizers say above all else it's important for kids to understand the importance of this day because they are our future.

"At some point in time, they'll have to pick up this torch and carry it on to make it an even better place than what it is for us now," said Wayne Riley, the director of the Laurel County African-American Heritage Center.

Adults say kids can learn important life skills, like how to stand up for themselves, from Dr. King.

He fought for what he thought was right which was unity among all people.

"Back in the day, blacks couldn't do nothing. They were put on the back burner. They wasn't allowed to drink out of the water fountain with the white kids. They wasn't allowed to use the same bathroom as the white kids. They wasn't allowed to eat with the white kids," said Allen.

We celebrate Dr. King's birthday because of his brave, bold stand for African-American rights.

"This day is important to me because if Martin Luther King hadn't done what he had, I don't think that everyone would be together and united as one," said Baker.

His stand for equality defied the set norms many years ago.

Dr. King's iconic "I have a dream" speech and leadership in the African-American civil rights movement make him one of the most prominent African-American men in history.