How to Attend Martin Luther King Day Events

Martin Luther King Jr. Day marks the January 15, 1929 birth date of Dr. King, one of three individual Americans whose life is commemorated by a federal holiday. It was first observed federally in 1986, after being passed by Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan in November of 1983. It is celebrated on the third Monday in January each year with observations in cities and towns throughout the United States.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Attend Martin Luther King Day Events

1. Find out about Martin Luther King Day events in your local area by contacting your municipal government, the local AFL-CIO central labor council and the local chapters of civil rights organizations such as the NAACP or groups such as the YWCA which are committed to eradicating racism.
2. Attend events for free or at a reduced price by offering to volunteer in their organization. If necessary, consider working to add programming to the events in your city or town to connect them with the spirit of the King Holiday and Service Act's goal of a day of volunteer service for justice.
3. Make a one-time or regular pilgrimage to Atlanta to attend and participate in the historic annual commemorative events sponsored by the King Center, the Ebenezer Baptist Church and other Atlanta-based organizations on the Thursday to Monday culminating in Martin Luther King Day.
4. Support and attend the King Day of Service in your city or other communities around the country. You can find out more about these events by checking out King Day of Service website of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal government agency (see Resources below).
5. Request that your employer support Dr. King's birthdate holiday by encouraging employees to attend events commemorating the National Day of Service. Only about one-third of U.S. companies give employees a day off for Dr. King's birth date holiday. Another way to address this issue at your workplace is to request a choice between this holiday and some other holiday, such as Columbus Day.

Tips & Warnings

• The King Holiday and Service Act reflects the commitment of many Americans to make the holiday into a day of volunteer service honoring Dr. King. Many cities and non-profit organizations sponsor events in this spirit.
• Raise funds or get corporate sponsorship to help meet the costs of your pilgrimage to Atlanta through progressive companies or organizations in your area.
• Get tickets well in advance for King Day events as they often sell out.