All over the country this week, events are taking place honoring the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. for the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
Most of The King Center’s MLK50 Forward events are free and open to the public.
They started in Memphis April 2 and will end on April 9 in Atlanta with the March for Humanity. The list of official events from The King Center and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park are listed below.
Monday, April 2
National Civil Rights Museum – Memphis
3:30 p.m. CST
Dr. Bernice A. King and a select group of ministers and special guests will embark upon a special Delta Air Lines chartered flight to Memphis. While there, the group will take a special guided tour of the National Civil Rights Museum (Lorraine Motel).
Monday, April 2
Clayborn Temple – Memphis
6:00 p.m. CST
Dr. Bernice A. King and special guests will dine at Clayborn Temple with a program to follow commemorating Dr. King’s assassination.
Tuesday, April 3
Mason Temple – Memphis
7:00 p.m. CST
Dr. Bernice A. King and special guests gather to remember Dr. King’s last speech delivered on April 3, 1968, at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee.
Wednesday, April 4
King Center/Yolanda D. King Theatre for The Performing Arts – Atlanta
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize is The King Center’s highest award is presented for commitment to nonviolence as a way of life through which social justice, human rights and civil liberties are attained for all. The 2018 Peace Prize Award Ceremony honors lawyers Benjamin Ferencz and Bryan Stevenson. Moderated by Rev. Bernice A. King and local guests.
Wednesday, April 4
Ebenezer Baptist Church/MLK Community Center – Atlanta
Noon
Peace Prize Luncheon. Invitation only. Honorees and special guests invited.
Wednesday, April 4
King Center/Crypt of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Atlanta
7:01 p.m. EST
Global Bell Ringing & King Family Wreath laying at the time of Dr. King’s assassination 50 years ago.
Wednesday, April 4
Historic Ebenzer Baptist Church – Atlanta
5:15 p.m. EST
The park will host its Remembrance Day commemorative program at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, held fifty years to the day of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The program culminates at 6:01 p.m. with the laying of a wreath on the exterior of Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Wednesday, April 4
King Birth Home – Atlanta
Starts 10:00 a.m. EST
A silent open house Birth Home Tour will take place on April 4, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tours are free. To tour the home, visitors must meet at the front steps of the Birth Home where a ranger will begin the tour. “We encourage the visitor to silently walk through the Birth Home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and explore the community and family life that guided and nurtured this future Civil Rights leader,” stated Judy Forte, Park Superintendent.
Wednesday, April 4
MLK, Jr. National Historical Park
Starts 10 a.m.
In the Visitor Center Theater, from April 4 to 9, 2018, the 15-minute film, “The Last Days of King” will play throughout the day, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In the film Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the King family and close associates share personal moments of Dr. King’s tragic death.
Thursday, April 5
MLK, Jr. National Historical Park – Atlanta
11:30 a.m. EST
On April 5, 2018, at 11:30 a.m., the park will open and host an exhibition the D.R.E.A.M. Gallery located inside the National Park Service Visitor Center, adjacent to the permanent exhibition area. The exhibit will be entitled From Memphis to Atlanta: 50 Forward, which examines the final days of Dr. King's life as he journeyed to Memphis, campaigning on behalf of poor sanitation workers, to his final return home to Atlanta, Georgia, for the April 9th funeral, where thousands mourned his death. The exhibit will also feature the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the King Center and the re-designation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. NHP.
Saturday, April 7
Georgia Freight Depot – Atlanta
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST
King Centennial Speaks: The Centennial Generation of “King Children,” Miss Yolanda Renee King, Granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Miss Maryn Rippy, Granddaughter of A.D. King, hosts youth from all over the world who have done extraordinary work for humanity. Ages 2 -13 welcomed.
*Please register to attend at www.MLK50Forward.org
Monday, April 9
Memorial Service/ Historic Ebenezer – Atlanta
10:30 a.m. EST
In 1968 the world mourned the loss of a true American hero who dedicated his life to helping others. Fifty years later we commemorate his passing by gathering in the same sanctuary to reflect on his life as a Drum Major for Peace, Justice and Righteousness and to rededicate ourselves to moving his Dream Forward.
*seating for the program is by invitation only however program will be available for viewing inside the Historical Park Visitor Center and at the Horizon Baptist Church
Monday, April 9
March for Humanity – Atlanta
12 p.m. EST
Thousands will gather at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church for a March for Humanity & Love for Humanity Rally. The march will start on Jackson Ave. and end at the Georgia State Capitol, Liberty Park Plaza with a Love for Humanity Rally.
*Please register to walk www.MLK50Forward.org
