July 10, 1954. It was a hot, 80 degrees, and Charlotteans had many things to celebrate. It was opening day for Douglas Municipal Airport (now known as Charlotte Douglas International Airport). Several months later, it became the backdrop for Martin Luther King Jr.'s first recorded trip to the Queen City.

Some time before the National Baptist Convention in September 1954, King departed from Charlotte's new passenger terminal with Kelly Alexander, Sr., a Charlotte native and President of the North Carolina National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to six Black high schools in Charlotte during convocation. | Photo via Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library

The civil rights leader later returned to Charlotte, speaking at the Charlotte Park Center (now known as the Grady Cole Center) on Sept. 25, 1960. He gave an early version of the historic “I Have a Dream Speech” before speaking at a convocation of Black high schools in Charlotte in May 1963. A few months later, he delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963.

Three years later on Sept. 21, 1966, he spoke to thousands of people at Johnson C. Smith University about his opposition to the war in Vietnam.

King was scheduled to return once again to the Queen City but, as events escalated in Memphis, TN, his plans changed. A telegram was sent to Charlotte civil rights leader Dr. Reginald Hawkins, outlining the change of plans and a promise to reschedule. But another visit didn't come. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Visitors can find a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at Marshall Park in Uptown. | Photo by CLTtoday

To honor King's work and life of service, consider attending any of these events across Charlotte:

MLK Day 2026: Instruments for Change | Monday, Jan. 19 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Harvey B. Gantt Center | Enjoy a day packed with panel discussions, creativity, and community to learn about the pursuit of freedom.