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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (pictured), one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders, a stellar orator and exemplary humanitarian, who would have turned 86-years-old this year had his life not been so tragically ended by a sniper’s bullet in 1968.

Some forty-seven years later, we stop to remember, honor and cherish the legacy of his work in seeking diversity and social justice on his national holiday, which falls on January 19 this year.

Check out all of the events that are taking place as a celebration of Dr. King’s countless contributions to mankind.

NEW YORK CITY AREA

Brooklyn Academy of Music; Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2015, 1/19, 10:30 a.m., bam.org

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Medgar Evers College will present the largest mega celebration in New York City honoring Dr. King’s life. A keynote address will be given by author and educator, Dr. Cornel West for this annual jam-packed day of free events that include musical performances, book signings, a film screening and art exhibit.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Policy Forum at  National Action Network (House of Justice), nationalactionnetwork.net

Rev. Al Sharpton will be joined by: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Chuck Schumer, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, and other New York State and City officials,106 West 145th Street at Lenox Avenue, Harlem, New York; Will be live streamed at NationalActionNetwork.net.

Program Start Time: 1:00 p.m. EST

Wreath Laid Where NYC Police Officers,Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, were killed. 

Dr. King would have denounced senseless violence & stressed our movement for justice in police reform, a movement that is not anti police or a hate of police movement. Myrtle Ave. & Tompkins Ave. Brooklyn, NY, 3:oo pm EST 

The family of Eric Garner will hold a vigil at the site where Eric Garner was killed

They will continue to call for a Federal investigation of his killing and possible civil rights violation, Bay St. & Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY8:00 p.m. EST 

#DREAM4JUSTICE King Day March Against Police Brutality

Join the march with Family, Friends and Community for a HISTORIC DAY OF ACTION! Meet time is 110th & Lenox, Harlem, NYC at 12pm NOON EST. Text @DREAM4JUSTICE to 23559 to get updates, route info & more! Asking that marchers wear BLACK out of rememberance for all the victims of police brutality, whose lives we continue to remember and mourn.

CHICAGO 

Chicago History Museum, 1/19, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., chicagohistory.org

A free family friendly must that includes a concert by the Chicago Chamber Choir, a production of The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights by Writers Theatre followed by a post-show discussion, along with storytelling and crafts for kids that speak to Dr. King’s humanitarianism. Award-winning and riveting storyteller Oba William King’s will also reenact Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

 LOS ANGELES AREA

Los Angeles, California, 30th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Kingdom Day Parade, 1/19, 9:30 a.m., kingdomdayparade.org

The Congress of Racial Equality of California will present the annual event that takes place along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Western Avenue in L.A. The grandiose celebration winds its way through the city with an international group of marchers dressed in vivid costumes before ending on Vernon Avenue. Thousands are united to witness the hundreds of extravagant floats, melodious marching bands, military units and riveting dance groups. The vibrant spectacle paying tribute to the iconic leader will culminate with even more celebrations that involve food and lively music.

City of Inglewood, California’s KingFest 2015: “Love and Resect: Let it Begin With Me,” 1/19, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., kjlhradio.com/kingday-2015

102.3 Radio-Free KJLH , The City of Inglewood, Inglewood School District, and Madison Square Garden Company have all joined in to produce a day of family unity on their 32nd annual gala commemorating Dr. King’s life. The free celebration will begin with an inspirational service followed by a civil rights march and will feature keynote speakers, family fun events, vendor booths, food and musical performances by gospel groups and such legendary artists as Johnny Gill.

ATLANTA 

Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Free Events Scheduled for 1/19, 10:00 a.m., thekingcenter.org

MLK Commemorative Services at Ebenezer Baptist Church will hold a commemorative service that will focus on the life and legacy of Dr. King. 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.

Atlanta, Georgia, MLK March & Rally, 1:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The march led by community leaders is set to begin at Peachtree and Baker Streets and continue to the famed Auburn Avenue. The march will conclude with a rally at the King Center.

Atlanta, Georgia, King Family Book Signing at The King Center, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

Christine King Farris will sign My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Through it All: Reflections on My Life, My Family and My Faith. Dr. Angela Farris Watkins, niece of Dr. King, will sign copies of My Uncle Martin’s Words for America: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Niece Tells How He Made a Difference and Love Will See You Through: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Six Guiding Beliefs (As Told By His Niece); Ms. Alveda King, another niece of Dr. King, will sign her book, King Rules: Ten Truths for You, Your Family and Our Nation to Prosper. Open to the Public. Only books purchased at The King Center will be signed.

Atlanta, Georgia, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Project, handsonatlanta.org

Join Hands On Atlanta for its 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Last year, more than 3,000 volunteers worked on 60 projects across the city.

WASHINGTON, DC 

National Action Network (NAN) annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

Last year United States Vice President, Joe Biden delivered the keynote address. This year NAN is honored to have guest speakers U.S. Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Health and Human Services; and U.S. Secretary, Julián Castro, Housing and Urban Development. The Mayflower Hotel

1127 Connecticut Ave NW, Enter at main hotel entrance

Program Start Time: 8:30 a.m.

Washington D.C., Martin Luther King Memorial, nps.gov

National Park Service Rangers discuss King’s role in the Civil Rights movement daily. The National Park Service from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. will host a free wreath laying service in observance of the birthday-anniversary for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Washington D.C., Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, mlkholidaydc.org

The parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE and Milwaukee Place SE. The Anacostia parade/peacewalk includes the Ballou Marching Band and representatives from the area’s Asian, Bolivian, Jamaican and African-American communities.

Washington D.C., “Let Freedom Ring,” kennedy-center.org

Beginning at 6:oo p.m., the Kennedy Center and Georgetown University will host a musical celebration at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that will feature the Let Freedom Ring Choir and other special guests honoring the civil rights leader’s legacy in a free Millennium Stage concert. Tickets are required and will be distributed the day of the event in front of the Concert Hall beginning at 5 p.m. The 2015 concert features nine-time Grammy Award-winning songstress Natalie Cole.

OREGON

Eugene, Oregon, Lane County Community College, 1/19, 6:30 p.m., lanecc.edu

The educational institution is home to the Martin Luther King Education Center and will host a free community celebration featuring keynote speaker actress Holly Robinson-Peete.

CHARLOTTE

“We Are The Dream,” 3rd Annual Teen Summit, 1/19. 11: a.m., McCrorey Family YMCA, Charlotte, N.C., ymcacharlotte.org

This event is open and free to all the teens and youth in our community and will engage them in discussion around social justice, higher education, entrepreneurship and civic engagement. This will be a time for giving and reflection, and will include a poetry slam, volunteer fair, a message from Former President and CEO of the NAACP, Ben Jealous and more.

FLORIDA

St. Petersburg, Florida, National Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Parade, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., mlknationalparade.org

The National Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Parade, Battle of the Bands & Drum Line Extravaganza, St. Petersburg parade is considered to be one of the biggest MLK parades in the country. The route begins on Third Avenue S. and Martin Luther King St. and is full of brow-raising spectacles for young and old.

ST. LOUIS

St. Louis, Missouri, 1/19, 9 a.m., Christ Church Cathedral, christchurchcathedral.us

The sixth annual “Let Freedom Ring” daylong commemoration will include community readings of Dr. King’s writings, speeches & sermons from the very pulpit where the legendary leader preached back in 1964.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebrations: What’s Going On In Your Town?  was originally published on newsone.com