News Release

King Holiday Observance Celebration 2020

Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Gary Tarleton, NPS

News Release Date: January 8, 2020

Contact: Rebecca Karcher, [phone]

Contact: Marty Smith, [phone]

ATLANTA - Superintendent Judy Forte is pleased to announce the free public events that will take place at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park to celebrate and commemorate the 91^st birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., beginning Wednesday, January 15, 2020 and ending on the National King Holiday, Monday, January 20, 2020.  Superintendent Forte said, “the National Park Service hopes to make this observance of the Martin Luther King Jr., National Holiday one that deeply honors and serves Dr. King’s life and legacy as a “day on” rather than a “day off.”

Schedule of events:

Wednesday, January 15, 2020 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) - On January 15, 2020, the National Park Service will host a youth story-telling program that will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 91^st Birthday. This event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. A member of the King Family will share the story “My Brother Martin” written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s sister, Dr. Christine King Farris.   Metro-Atlanta schools are invited to participate.

Thursday, January 16, 2020 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) - A Volunteer Day of Service will begin under the canopy of the National Park Service Visitor Center at 9:00 AM. Contact Marty Smith at 404-886-6140 for more information.

Sunday, January 19, 2020 (3:30 PM - 6:00 PM) - An artistic tribute in the form of a concert will take place at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. The concert will feature an array of artists, honoring Dr. King's 91st birthday through music, song, dance and spoken word.  

Monday, January 20, 2020, National King Holiday (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM) Special programs will be conducted park wide throughout the day.
 

• The King Birth Home, the historic structure where Martin Luther King, Jr. was born and lived his first twelve years of life, will be open to park visitors for walk through tours from 9:30 AM through 4:30 PM.

 

• Special education programing for children will take place at Fire Station No. 6, including arts & crafts, games, a National Park Service photo booth, and the Park’s Junior Ranger Program.

 

• A replica of a 1955 Marta Bus will be on Auburn Avenue giving visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time to the era of the Civil Rights Movement.

 

• Historic Fire Station No.6, the Heritage Sanctuary of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and National Park Service’s Visitor Center will be open from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

These events offer opportunities for the park visitor to engage in meaningful and memorable experiences that connect with the significant values inherent in the unique resources of Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.

For more information, please visit www.nps.gov/malu and follow us on Twitter @MLKJrNHSNPS, Facebook MartinLutherKingJrNPS, and Instagram @martinlutherkingjrnps.