UPDATE: Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Norristown
Tell us what this holiday means to you and how you will celebrate?
Next Monday, Jan. 21 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
For some, the national holiday honoring the prominent civil rights activist is a time to give back and serve the community, be it through removing graffiti or picking up litter in a local park.
For others, it’s an opportunity to educate themselves about King and his life's work. And for others, it’s a time to just kick back and enjoy the prolonged weekend.
Local MLK Day Events & Volunteer Opportunities
Friday, Jan. 18 – The Philadelphia Theatre Company presents "The Mountaintop," a gripping drama about the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. running through Feb. 10. Call 215-985-0420 for more information.
Sunday, Jan. 20 – MLK Freedom Concert at Theist Temple Curch of God in Christ
Sunday, Jan. 20 – Honoring The Dream – Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Awards Service at Bethlehem Baptist Church
Monday, Jan. 21 – MLK Day at Elmwood Park Zoo
Monday, Jan. 21 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Day of Service at Greater Norristown PAL
Monday, Jan. 21 –Norristown Recreation Committee's Martin Luther King Jr. "Living the Dream" Award Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. at Norristown Municipal Hall
The History of MLK Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, now a U.S. holiday, took 15 years to create.
Legislation was first proposed by Congressman John Conyers (D-Michigan) four days after King was assassinated in 1968.
The bill was stalled, but Conyers, along with Rep. Shirley Chisholm (D-New York), pushed for the holiday every legislative session until it was finally passed in 1983, following civil rights marches in Washington.
Then-president Ronald Reagan signed it into law. Yet it was not until 2000 that every U.S. state celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by its name. Before then, states like Utah referred to the holiday more broadly as Human Rights Day.
Now, the Corporation for National and Community Service has declared it an official U.S. Day of Service.
So, tell us—What does Martin Luther King Jr. Day mean to you? What are you doing to commemorate King’s legacy? Tell us in the comments.
In This article
-
Honoring The Dream-Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Awards Service
Bethlehem Baptist Church (We are located at the corner of Penllyn Pike & Dager Road in the city of Spring House. Please use Ambler as the city for GPS directions) -
Bethlehem Baptist Church
712 Penllyn Pike, Ambler, PA (Please use Ambler for city with GPS church is located in Spring House at corner of Penllyn Pike & Dager Road) -
-
-
Greater Norristown PAL
340 Harding Blvd, Norristown, PA -
-
Theist Temple Church of God In Christ
535 E Marshall St, Norristown, PA -
-
Norristown Municipal Hall
235 E Airy St, Norristown, PA
Bhrenda Drakeford
6:51 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
It means freedom to me. No other peace civil rights leader since him. I could not imagine riding now in the back of a septa bus in 2013. I celebrate by reflecting back on his legacy. And how trecherous J Edger Hoover was.
John Q. Public
8:52 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
Ironic that the most dangerous, violent streets in America are named after him.
Demba
5:21 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
really ma great man u really try so hard for every body in this earth ...always father god will be with u