WASHINGTON – Want to get involved on Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Here’s everything you need to know.
D.C. Public Library
- Tuesday, Jan. 21, 10:45 a.m., Martin Luther King’s Birthday Celebration, Takoma Park Library
- King Week Project/Let’s Promote Peace Mural: Families with children ages 4-12 can stop by any neighborhood library from Jan. 12-18 to participate in the King Week Project. Children can personalize a paper peace symbol and sign a peace pledge to be displayed as a “Let’s Promote Peace” mural in the children’s room. After the mural is displayed in your neighborhood library, it will be sent to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to become part of a larger peace display for Black History Month! Read more.
- Dream Big Like Me Video Contest: Teens are encouraged to submit a video of their original work that shows how they will continue Dr. King’s dream of equality for all. The original work can be a song, rap, poem, skit/dramatization, or speech. Video submissions will be accepted Jan. 19-Feb. 15, 2014
Martin Luther King Memorial
National Park Service Rangers discuss King’s role in the Civil Rights movement daily. The National Park Service will host a wreath laying service on Jan. 20, 2014, 8-9 a.m. in observance of the birthday-anniversary for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On Jan. 18-20, 2014, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. a Junior Ranger program will be held for kids.
City Year DC MLK Day Project Time: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: Coolidge HS, 6315 5th St NW
Opening program begins promptly at 9 a.m.; Mayor Gray will make remarks
Description: City Year is honoring the legacy of Dr. King by organizing a day of service. In just one day, volunteers will transform a high-need school into a more engaging, educational and vibrant place for students to learn and play. Service projects will include painting murals, maintaining playgrounds, building benches and planting green spaces. (Up to 300 volunteers)
Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Jan. 20, 2014, 11 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE and Milwaukee Place SE in Washington, DC.
The Anacostia parade and peacewalk includes the Ballou Marching Band and representatives from the area’s Asian, Bolivian, Jamaican and African American communities.
Washington National Cathedral
Jan. 20, 2014, 2 – 4 p.m. 3101 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, DC.
The Cathedral will host a celebration to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and continue his vision through music and poetry presented by the Cathedral and D.C.’s performing arts community. Attendees are asked to bring a new children’s book or non-perishable food item to donate. Musical performers include African Heritage Dancers & Drummers, Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University, Sarsaparilla – the National Cathedral School’s a cappella group, The Madrigal Singers, Washington Youth Choir and The Urban Nation H.I.P. – H.O.P. Choir of Washington, D.C.
“Let Freedom Ring”
Jan. 20, 2014, 6 p.m.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University host a musical celebration featuring the Let Freedom Ring Choir and other special guests honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’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 2014 concert features five-time Grammy Award
