Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so we thought we’d share the history of his presence in central Kentucky and what you can do to honor his life + legacy.
How is Dr. King connected to the Bluegrass?
- In 1957, the 28-year-old Dr. King gave the commencement speech to graduates at Kentucky State University. The event had to be moved to Frankfort High School’s brand-new gymnasium because the crowd he drew was so large.
- In 1964, Dr. King spoke in Frankfort again — this time with friend and baseball legend Jackie Robinson. Together, the two men led 10,000 people to peacefully rally at the Kentucky State Capitol building — demanding an end to segregation + discrimination in stores, restaurants, theaters, and businesses.
- In 1987, the Martin Luther King Cultural Center officially opened at the University of Kentucky. Rooted in Dr. King’s philosophy, the center is a campus-wide safe space for civic dialogue + community building.
What can you do to celebrate?
Freedom March | Mon., Jan. 15 at 1 p.m.
Every year, the University of Kentucky and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government host the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in downtown Lexington.
This year’s celebration will take place at the High Street entrance of the Central Bank Center. Lexingtonians are invited to gather and participate in the Freedom March through downtown to honor Dr. King’s philosophy and teachings.
Commemorative Program | Mon., Jan. 15 at 2 p.m.
Reverend Dr. Kevin W. Cosby will be the keynote speaker at the celebration put on by the MLK Holiday Planning Committee. Attendees will also be treated to musical performances from the youth choral ensembles Uniting Voices Chicago and Uniting Voices Lexington.
