News Release

The 53rd Commemoration

A wreath on the exterior of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Heritage Sanctuary.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: April 2, 2021

Contact: Rebecca Karcher, [phone]

ATLANTA - Superintendent Judy Forte announces a schedule of events for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park commemorating the 53^rd Anniversary of the Assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., beginning Monday, April 5, 2021 and ending on April 30, 2021.  

Superintendent Forte said, “Since our park buildings remain closed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the National Park Service has created outdoor exhibits and virtual programs to share another Iconic History Moment in American history with park visitors as they walk the park grounds.” 

Schedule of April 2021 Events: 

April 5, 10:30 AM - National Park Service’s Facility Management team will be placing a wreath on the exterior of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church symbolizing the April 4, 1968, violent death of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. King’s private funeral service was conducted at Ebenezer Baptist Church on April 9, 1968, at 10:30 AM.  Removal of the wreath will be April 12 at 10:30 AM.  

April 5 - April 30 - Interactive exhibit, “Memphis to Atlanta” will be displayed on the connecting wall of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and Christian Education Building.   A QR code for visitor access via their smart phones will be available for viewing historic footage of Dr. King’s last days. 

April 9, 3:00 PM – A virtual event hosted by National Park Service in partnership with the National Park Foundation. Mr. Ken Guthrie, a free-lance photographer, will share his rare photographic collection of Dr. King’s 4-mile funeral procession from Ebenezer Baptist Church to Morehouse College.  Mr. Guthrie was a student at Reinhart College in 1968, who passionately documented this tragic human history moment.  Mr. Guthrie currently is a professor at Georgia State University.  

The event is free and open to the public. To register, use this link:  

https://nationalparks-rg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QM4eEwvUTVurZzjCQdrMyA 

April 1 - April 9 – The park’s social media pages will feature posts that chronicles events of Dr. King’s social justice involvement, leading up to his assassination on the balcony of Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee and historic footage associated with the last days of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

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