Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 20so 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, one of Kentucky's two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The event was 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.
Lexington celebrated its first Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance in 1973, 10 years before the federal government named the day of remembrance a national holiday. This makes Lexington's celebration of the civil rights leader one of the oldest in the nation.
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.

MLK March on January 21, 2019 in Lexington, Ky. | | Photo by Mark Cornelison

What can you do to celebrate?

Freedom March | Mon., Jan. 20 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. 20 at 2 p.m.
Reverend Dr. Nyle Fort will be the keynote speaker at thecelebration put on by the MLK Holiday Planning Committee. Attendees will also be treated to live performances from musical guests.