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.