Although Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is on Jan. 15, King Day, the national holiday in his name, will be observed in Atlanta and across the country on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015. There are a plethora of events popping off nationwide in observance of one of America’s greatest sons.
Here are things to do and a list of events and forums taking place in the city of Atlanta from Jan. 15 through the holiday on Jan. 19.
Take a look:
Georgia Tech MLK Celebration
Jan. 8 – Jan. 25, 2015. Civil Rights to Human Rights: The Courage to Act. Georgia Institute of Technology will commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a full schedule of events organized by the Institute. Events include educational programs and service opportunities by the campus and nearby communities. Events include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture, Civil Rights Tour at the Center for Civil and Human Rights, Sunday Supper, and MLK Student Celebration. See the full calendar of events at events.accessatlanta.com/mlk-gatech
MLK Civil and Human Rights Conference
Jan. 15 – 19, 2015 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel. This conference was established to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King. Organized by the AFL-CIO, “the root of this conference is set to uplift the struggle of African Americans and the civil rights movement, this conference is specifically inclusive of people of color, young people, LGBTQ people, women and immigrants.” For more information and to register, visit events.accessatlanta.com/mlk-conference
MLK Day 5K – Let Freedom Run
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 at Piedmont Park. Race begins at 8 a.m. Runners will run on grass, road, gravel, wooden bridge, and dirt paths and there will be a 3.1 mile drumline along the race course. More information at events.accessatlanta.com/mlk-run
2015 Salute to Greatness Awards Dinner
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. According to the King Center website, “the Salute to Greatness Award , one of the King Center’s highest honors, is presented during the Annual Salute to Greatness Awards Dinner, to individuals and progressive organizations in recognition of outstanding efforts toward building Dr. King’s Beloved Community. “ This year is the 32nd annual awards dinner. Honorees include President Bill Clinton and Kaiser Permanente. Event information atevents.accessatlanta.com/mlk-dinner
MLK Commemorative Services at Ebenezer Baptist Church
Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. . Each year a commemorative service features tributes to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event is free and open to the public with limited seating. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, President of Alabama State University. Service information atevents.accessatlanta.com/mlk-service
MLK March & Rally
March starts at Peachtree and Baker Streets and continues to Auburn Avenue. Rally begins at the King Center. 1:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. More details and parade site plan atevents.accessatlanta.com/mlk-march
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta will host events celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and National Holiday. Visitors can make their own crafts and enjoy an inspirational presentation of MLK’s “I have a Dream” speech. Events from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Details on events.accessatlanta.com/mlk-children
DeKalb County’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
DeKalb Coutny hosts the 31st annual celebration on Friday, Jan. 16. The theme for this year’s program is “Embracing Cultural Diversity through Empowerment and Education.” Details on events.accessatlanta.com/mlk-dekalb
MLK Museum Day
Enjoy free admission to the Atlanta History Center, Centennial Olympic Games Museum and Margaret Mitchell House.
Free Entrance at the National Parks
Find full list of National Parks at nps.org