Today we are celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Here’s how the civil rights leader continues to have a presence in Boston + what you can do to honor his legacy.

How is Dr. King connected to Boston?

Martin Luther King, Jr. earned his PhD in systematic theology from Boston University in 1955.
He lived on Mass Ave. and met Coretta Scott while she was studying at the New England Conservatory of Music.
In 1965, after a speech at the Massachusetts State House, he led a freedom march with 20,000+ people from the South End to Boston Common.

Does Boston have a dedication to Dr. King?

You can find the “Free at Last” sculpture at his alma mater. The tribute, made by Sergio Castillo is a visual of 50 doves flying up towards the sky.
Another large-scale dedication in the works and it should be completed this year. “The Embrace” is a 22-ft, three-story memorial to honor Dr. King and Coretta Scott King that will be installed in the Boston Common, at the location of a rally in 1965.

What can I do to celebrate today?

2022 Celebration of the Lives and Legacies of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King | 2-3:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Tune into the live stream on boston.gov, bu.edu, and the City of Boston’s cable network to hear from this year’s guest speakers + listen to the musical selections.

MFA Open House | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | MFA | Free | Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King by surrounding yourself with art + culture. Don’t miss Roxbury-native Ekua Holmes’ “Paper Stories, Layered Dreams,” through Mon., Jan. 24.

One Person, One Vote | 4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Tune in with Boston Children’s Chorus and local guest speakers for a digital broadcast highlighting the King family's calls for action.