The Beautiful Way Google Has Honored Martin Luther King Jr. Over the Years

Every third Monday in January, the nation celebrates civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — including Google! The web giant has honored the activist every year since 2006 (and once in 2003) with an annual Google Doodle homepage tribute. In 2015, the doodle by artist Ekua Holmes featured a collage-style graphic of Dr. King standing in Selma alongside supporters such as wife Coretta Scott King (see it above). Selma is the site of the famed Selma to Montgomery voting rights march in 1965, and the subject of the Oscar-nominated film that hit theaters in 2015.

There are more civil rights milestones ahead, such as Dr. King's famed "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. Honor one of the nation's most iconic activists by taking a look at Martin Luther King-inspired Google Doodles through the years.


Jan. 20, 2014

Jan. 20, 2014

Christian Robinson doodled this image of King's profile beside white doves and the Lincoln Memorial, the site of his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Jan. 21, 2013

Jan. 21, 2013

Doodler Matthew Cruickshank was inspired to create this graphic portrait after dwelling on this quote: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. The color inspiration came from graffiti on the street of San Francisco.

Jan. 16, 2012

Jan. 16, 2012

African American artist Faith Ringgold created a doodle of the civil rights leader surrounded by words from his speech "I Have a Dream."

Jan. 17, 2011

Jan. 17, 2011

Jennifer Hom of the official Google Doodle team was inspired by Dr. King's vision of a day where children will "not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Jan. 18, 2010

Jan. 18, 2010

In this act of solidarity with other Americans, Hom wanted to "depict the steadfastness of [Dr. Martin Luther King]'s approach to civil rights."

Jan. 19, 2009

Jan. 19, 2009

Shepard Fairey, the original creator of the iconic Obama "Hope" poster, was invited as a guest artist to memorialize MLK.

Jan. 14, 2007

Jan. 14, 2007

Children playing together is a frequent theme among MLK Day Google Doodles. In 2007, children were featured jumping rope.

Jan. 15, 2006

Jan. 15, 2006

Martin Luther King's most famous speech was honored in 2006.

Jan. 19, 2003

Jan. 19, 2003

Multicolored paper cutouts of mini figures held hands to commemorate Dr. King in 2003.