Politicians, celebs honor Martin Luther King Jr.

What You Need To Know: Martin Luther King Jr.

Civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated each year on MLK Jr. Day and throughout February for Black History Month.

The Atlanta-born Baptist minister encouraged equality, desegregation and civil disobedience as a way to stand for change.

>> 5 things you didn't know about Martin Luther King Jr.

Each year, Americans remember him and honor him, and many celebreties and politicians took to social media on Monday to recognize King's contributions and his role in American history.