What to know about Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Columbus

On January 17, 2025By Littum

57 years after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the nation remembers him as a hero who fought relentlessly against racial segregation policies and discrimination.

Today, MLK Day is the reason for the first three-day weekend of the year with many people off from school and work.

But with this year’s federal holiday falling on the same day as Inauguration Day—for only the third time in American history—and flags flying at half-staff this month to commemorate the late President Carter, it may be time to brush up on your knowledge of significant American figures.

Here’s everything you need to know about the holiday.

Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?

Born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, King was a Baptist minister who soon became one of the leading faces of the civil rights movement.

King played a leading role in ending Jim Crow laws in the United States with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and further pushed for racial equality with the passage of the Voting Rights Act the following year.

King won the Nobel Peace Prize for leading a nonviolent campaign four years before he was assassinated.

Fighting for justice and equality from the mid-1950s, King was known for his peaceful advocacy and charismatic words that spawned the famous “I Have A Dream” speech that brought nearly 250,000 people to the March on Washington in 1963.

Why do we celebrate MLK Day?

President Ronald Regan signed the bill nearly 20 years after King was assassinated to honor his life as a national holiday. Although adopted in 1983, the holiday was not officially observed until 1986.

Americans celebrate King’s legacy on the third Monday of January each year, which is roughly around his actual birthday. It also complies with the Uniform Holiday Act of 1968, which guarantees a long weekend for workers.

MLK Day is Monday, January 20, 2025.

On this day, Americans are encouraged to observe civic work and community service in honor of King’s legacy.

MLK Day in Columbus

Columbus’ first MLK Day March was held in 1987, a year after the federal holiday was observed. Since then, the city has engaged in annual celebrations for the community.

The Ohio History Connection and the King Arts Complex will present their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Open House at the Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave., from 11.00 to 16.00 Monday.

“We are excited to once again partner with the King Arts Complex and bring the central Ohio community together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy,” said Lyn Logan-Grimes, Director of School and Inclusive Community Programs on OHC.

“This event is a powerful reminder of Dr. King’s legacy and offers an incredible opportunity for the whole family to learn about the civil rights movement.”

Admission is free and will include musical and live theater performances, Civil Rights Movement educational opportunities, art activities and tours of the Ohio History Center. Registration takes place at ohiohistory.org.

Here are several events happening in and around Columbus to celebrate MLK Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Prize dinner

The Columbus Education Association’s 44th MLK Jr. Awards Dinner to honor outstanding community leaders on Jan. 16 will feature MSNBC TV anchor, political strategist, political commentator and author Symone Sanders as keynote speaker. A social hour begins at 18.00 with dinner after 7 p.m. at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Battelle North Ballroom, 400 N. High St.

Details: Tickets are $50 and tables are available for $400 for a table of eight. Call 614-253-4731 to reserve your seat.

MLK Day March

The City of Columbus’ MLK Day March will take place at the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St., on Monday. It begins at 3.30pm and the main event takes place at 5.00pm

Details: To RSVP for free, visit columbus.gov.

Martin Luther King Jr. Learning day

The 34th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Learning at Capital University, 1 College and Main, takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and includes State Representative and Assistant Minority Leader Dontavius Jarrells.

Details: For more information and to register for free, visit capital.edu/student-life/arts-and-culture/annual-events/martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-learning.

MLK Youth Service Day

The MLK Day of Youth Service with Seeds of Caring will take place at the Ohio History Center from 12.00 to 15.00 Monday. There will be activities for children aged 2-12 to make cleaning kits, breakfast kits and solar collectors.

Details: To sign up for free, visit seedsofcaring.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday lunch

The 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The birthday luncheon will take place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., from 7.30-10.00 Monday. Presented by the Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee, Inc., start your day with an uplifting message of hope, celebration of life and unity

Two-time national award-winning journalist, acclaimed Ivy League scholar and lecturer, and powerful speaker Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins is the keynote speaker.

Details: Tickets are $50 and advance registration is required at eventbrite.com.

Westerville Dr. MLK Jr. Breakfast party

Westerville Dr. MLK Jr. The Breakfast Celebration will take place at The Medallion Club, 5000 Club Drive, Westerville, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Themed “Creating the Beloved Community, Even When We Don’t Agree,” the event’s keynote speaker will be the founder and CEO of Live at Lyfe, LLCKenston Henderson Sr.

Details: Tickets are $35 per person. To sign up, visit eventbrite.com.

Worthington MLK Celebration

The Worthington community will celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual celebration on Monday at 11 a.m. at Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 High St. Worthington alumna and Emmy Award-winning journalist Dana Tyler will share her story as the keynote speaker. Musical performances will be presented from Capriccio Columbus and the Urban Strings Columbus Youth Orchestra.

Details: Everyone is asked to bring canned food to be donated to the Worthington Resource Pantry. The program will also be streamed live at worthington.org/mlk. For more information, visit worthington.org.

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