DC Public Library Celebrates King Memorial Dedication

Saturday and Sunday King Memorial Dedication programs have been canceled in anticipation of Hurricane Irene.

Starting August 22, the DC Public Library commemorates the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Dedication with a series of events and exhibits. Share your King stories on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Tweet your stories, share your thoughts and follow the Library's events using #KingStories. Upload your video story now.

D.C. Residents Day
Due to the overwhelming interest in D.C. Residents Day, the Mayor has decided not to issue tickets online or at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.  Mayor Gray extends an invitation to all D.C. residents to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall on Tuesday, Aug. 23.  In honor of D.C. Residents Day, the MLK Memorial will have extended hours from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.  

Video Tour: "The King Mural"
Coming soon...a self-guided tour of "The King Mural." Download "The King Mural" brochure and booklet to learn more about the mural and artist Don Miller.

Library Events

King in Magazines Exhibit (1957-1968)
Aug. 22 – Sept. 4
Library Hours
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Room 316
View the emergence of Dr. King’s charismatic leadership and tragic assassination in actual issues of Life, Time, Ebony and Jet magazines.

Remembering King: Images from the Washingtoniana Collection Exhibit
Aug. 22 – Sept. 15
Library Hours
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Great Hall
Martin Luther King Jr. Library will exhibit images of King in D.C. including the March on Washington.

The Art and Drama Therapy Institute Inspirational Choir and Moroccan Ensemble
Tues., Aug. 23
12 noon
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Great Hall
Live stream: Click here and press play.
Listen to inspirational songs in celebration of Dr. King’s National Memorial. The members of the Choir and Ensemble are individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  As therapeutic treatment, members utilize their talents and strengths through music to build their confidence and independence.  They have performed with Chuck Brown and H. David Meyer (famous oboist) at the Kennedy Center, and before artists Mo'Nique, Boris Kojoe, Michael Epps and Boyz to Men, to name a few.

"I Have a Dream, Too" DVD Debut
Wed., Aug. 24, 2011  
11 a.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Room 316
Native Washingtonian Steven Silver, an accomplished actor, poet and activist debuts his latest DVD featuring the King-inspired, “I Have a Dream, Too.”                                                                   

Book Signing & Discussion: “Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church”
Wed., August 24
2 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Room 316
Follow the discussion using #KingStories
Author Benjamin C. Ridgeway presents a photographic history of the historic church that nurtured the genesis of the King family tradition as pastors.

“The King Mural” Self-Guided Tour
Aug. 25 – Aug. 28
Library Hours
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Great Hall
Self-Guided Tour video coming soon
Don Miller’s “The King Mural” is the nation's definitive visual documentation of Dr. King's great influence on modern American society.  By researching Dr. King and interviewing those who worked closely with him, Miller chronicled Dr. King's work from 1955 to 1968.  Self-guided tour information will be available at the information desk.

God’s Miracles Gospel Quintet
Thur., Aug. 25
12 noon
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Great Hall
Live stream: Click here and press play.
God’s Miracles Quintet will perform gospel and traditional songs loved by Dr. King.  The five-member group started out as a '70s doo-wop group and has shared the stage with groups like the Delfonics.
 
“A.D. King: Brother to the Dreamer: Behold the Dream” Film Screening and Discussion with A.D. King's widow, Naomi King
Thur., Aug. 25
1:30 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Room A-5
Follow the discussion using #KingStories
Rev. Dr. Alfred Daniel Williams King, brother to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was one of the main strategists behind several Civil Rights campaigns including the Poor People’s Campaign.  This documentary chronicles King’s contributions and includes interviews with John Lewis and Andrew Young. Following the screening, the film will be discussed with A.D. King's widow, Naomi King and Dr. Babs Onabanjo, the film’s executive producer.

 
Kingmaker Foundation Reception – Keynote Speaker, Rev. C. T. Vivian
Thur., Aug. 25
3:30 p.m. 
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Great Hall
Live stream: Click here and press play.
The Kingmaker Foundation provides funding and scholarships to youth educational programs, youth leadership development, global leaders, and community service projects. Rev. C. T. Vivian, minister, author and ally of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, will be the keynote speaker.
 

“A.D. King: Brother to the Dreamer: Behold the Dream” Film Screening and Discussion with A.D. King's widow, Naomi King - replay
Fri., Aug. 26
1:30 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Room A-5
Follow the discussion using #KingStories
Rev. Dr. Alfred Daniel Williams King, brother to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was one of the main strategists behind several Civil Rights campaigns including the Poor People’s Campaign.  This documentary chronicles King’s contributions and includes interviews with John Lewis and Andrew Young. Following the screening, the film will be discussed with A.D. King's widow, Naomi King and Dr. Babs Onabanjo, the film’s executive producer.

Film, Discussion & Reception: “Children’s March”
Fri., August 26
3:30 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Room A-5
Follow the discussion using #KingStories
Presenters Jeremiah Lowery and Pertula George from Common Good City Farm, and Youth and Nonviolence Organizations from Ward 7 and 8 will share insights on engaging and helping youth realize the importance of Martin Luther King’s ideals.   

(CANCELED) Morehouse College Glee Club and Quartet Concert
Sat., Aug. 27
12 noon
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Great Hall
Live stream: Click here and press play.
Morehouse College is the only all-male historically black institution of higher learning in the United States. The Glee Club has shared the stage with opera great Jessye Norman, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Trisha Yearwood and soprano Indra Thomas.  The library performance will include spirituals, gospel and Yuroba selections.

(CANCELED) King's Vision For World Peace: A Pan-Africanist View
Sat., Aug. 27
2:30 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Room A-5
Follow the discussion using #KingStories
Joe Beasley, founder of the Joe Beasley Foundation, is the guest speaker. The foundation works to improve the quality of life for people in Africa and in the African Diaspora. After the lecture, join us in room 316 at 3:30 p.m. for Social Networking Strategies.

(CANCELED)Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Sing Along
Sun., Aug. 28
3 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Great Hall
Live stream: Click here and press play.
Music Specialist Sam Perryman will sing spirituals from the Civil Rights Movement.  He will be assisted by violist Phyllis Flemings and students from the Levine School of Music.

(CANCELED) Brotherly Love Call and Response Choir
Sun, Aug. 28
4 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Great Hall
The Baptized Believers Apostolic Church quartet from Washington, D.C. will take you back to the old landmark with songs from the Pentecostal tradition. Bishop Bobby Long is founder and pastor.

Citywide Events

In addition, the District of Columbia Government welcomes the world to the nation’s capital for the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial by hosting, with the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, a memorable week of dedication events. View a complete schedule of events.

Return to the main page.