Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and there are many ways this civil rights activist touched Northern Virginia.

The March on Washington

In 1963, MLK took to the streets of Washington, DC, on Aug. 28 for what is known as the March on Washington. Dig into this magazine article published by the Northern Virginia Sun on Aug. 29, 1963, to learn more.

Prior to the march, many stayed at the Lomax AME Zion Church, one of Arlington’s oldest Black churches, located in the Green Valley neighborhood. MLK spoke in the church’s parking lot the day before the march.

If you look at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, you can find a marking that shows where MLK stood during his “I Have a Dream” speech, which was given during this event.

After MLK’s assassination

Later on April 5, 1968, the day after MLK’s assassination, a group of about 400 students at Wakefield High School took part in an all-day sit-in. Afterward, the students held discussions and sang songs to honor the civil rights leader.

If you want to spend some time reflecting on Dr. King's legacy, head over to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial — it's not far from the National Mall.