Martin Luther King Jr. Day at The King Center

Monday, Jan. 21 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

For some, the national holiday honoring the prominent civil rights activist is a time to give back and serve the community, be it through removing graffiti or picking up litter in a local park.

For others, it’s an opportunity to educate themselves about King and his life's work. And for others, it’s a time to just kick back and enjoy the prolonged weekend.

Friday, January 18, 2013, 10:00 a.m.
Naturalization Ceremony – U.S. Immigration Services
The King Center, Freedom Hall Auditorium

Saturday, January 19, 2013, 2:30 p.m.
The DREAM 50 Art Contest Awards Ceremony
Morehouse College – Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel FREE and Open to the Public
Hosted by the Morehouse College, Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection and The King Center

Monday, January 21, 2013, Time: 8:00 AM
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service
Ebenezer Baptist Church – Horizon Sanctuary, 407 Auburn Avenue, N.E., Atlanta, GA
Free and Open to the Public (Limited Seating)
{Presidential Inauguration “Watch Party” will be held in the Horizon Sanctuary following the
Commemorative Service}

Monday, January 21, 2013 Time: 2:00 PM
King Week Holiday March & Rally
FREE and Open to the Public
The march is held on Auburn Avenue from Peachtree Street to Jackson Street
To participate in the march, call or email 404.614.3233 or cleoorange@bellsouth.net

Monday, January 21, 2013
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Project
FREE and Open to the Public
For more information contact: Hands On Atlanta at (404) 979- 2800 or www.handsonatlanta.org

Other events in the area include Cornell West coming to Kennesaw and a number of church service events on Sunday.  Ben Hill Methodist is having special guest speaker, Rev. Olu Brown speak on Monday, the 21st.

So, tell us—What does Martin Luther King Jr. Day mean to you? What are you doing to commemorate King’s legacy?

The Holiday's History

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, now a U.S. holiday, took 15 years to create.

Legislation was first proposed by Congressman John Conyers (D-Michigan) four days after King was assassinated in 1968.

The bill was stalled, but Conyers, along with Rep. Shirley Chisholm (D-New York), pushed for the holiday every legislative session until it was finally passed in 1983, following civil rights marches in Washington. 

Then-president Ronald Reagan signed it into law. Yet it was not until 2000 that every U.S. state celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by its name. Before then, states like Utah referred to the holiday more broadly as Human Rights Day. 

Now, the Corporation for National and Community Service has declared it an official U.S. Day of Service.

TELL US: What does MLK Day mean to you? Tell us in the comments.