The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be celebrated on Monday, with the official federal holiday observance of his Jan 15 birthday.
Chicago will commemorate the day with numerous events planned.
Here is a look at some of the happenings:
- Martin Luther King’s iconic words “I Have a Dream” will be on display and accented in blue lights on the facade of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Building headquarters at 300 E. Randolph (facing Millennium Park) beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday. The tribute will be on display through 5 a.m. Jan. 17.
- The Music Institute of Chicago and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre present a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, featuring a program of music, dance and art honoring the civil rights leader’s legacy. The event includes the world premiere of Ephraim Champion’s “A Stone of Hope (Martin’s Song),” a piece for soprano cello and piano; a performance by Evanston Dance Ensemble; an art exhibition and more. At 3 p.m. Jan. 15 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago, Evanston. Admission is free. Visit musicinst.org/mlk23.
- Chicago Sinfonietta presents “Thunder: MLK Tribute Concert,” featuring performances of Carlos Simon’s “Fate Now Conquers,” Valerie Coleman’s “Umoja, Anthem for Unity for Orchestra,” Kathryn Bostic’s “Letters from Moral Courage” and more. At 3 p.m. Jan. 15 at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago, Naperville ($54, $67) and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan ($27-$107). Visit chicagosinfonietta.org.
- The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center hosts a daylong salute to Dr. King which includes a children’s story time, DJs, a screening of the film “Boycott,” activity tables, taping of elders’ stories about Dr. King and civil rights, a pop-up civil rights exhibit and more. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 16 at DuSable Museum, 740 E. 56th. Admission is free. Visit dusablemuseum.org.
- MLK Day 2023: Southside Stories features a performance by Civic Orchestra of Chicago, South Side Home Movie Project screenings, stories, artmaking and more. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 16 at Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell. Admission is free. Visit hydeparkart.org.
- Chicago History Museum presents a celebration of Dr. King with a sing-along with Lenny Marsh and friends, family-friendly art activities and a screening of “King in Chicago” followed by a discussion. Also, the museum’s Collections staff will help you discover the history of the North Lawndale neighborhood where Dr. King made his home when he lived in Chicago. From 10:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Jan. 16 at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark. Free with museum admission ($17, $19); the event is free for Illinois residents on this day. Visit home.chicagohistory.org.
— Compiled by Mary Houlihan
Dr. King speaks at a Chicago Freedom Movement rally in Soldier Field.
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Dr. King announces Chicago as the target of his first major effort in the North.
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Dr. King and his wife, Coretta, wave from apartment he rented on Chicago’s West Side. Dr. King and his wife, Coretta, wave from apartment he rented on Chicago’s West Side., Jan. 26, 1966. Dr. King announced he will spend two or three days a week in Chicago directing a campaign against slum conditions. Mrs. King said she would stay in the flat for tonight only, and then return to Atlanta. Dr. King pays $90 a month rent for the four-room apartment. | AP Photo/Edward Kitch
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King and Coretta are shown renovating a building.
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King attacks slum conditions at an apartment building.
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During a visit to a pool hall, King demonstrates his proficiency with a cue.
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Rev. Jesse Jackson, kneeling, huddles with King and Bernard Lee of King’s staff on Aug. 20, 1966. | Sun-Times file photo
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Dr. King, left, pictured in his first meeting with Elijah Muhammad.
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Hands of civil rights leaders Al Raby, left, and King, post scroll listing demands at Chicago’s City Hall.
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Dr. King in Marquette Park on Aug. 5, 1966, before he was hit by debris thrown by the crowd. | Sun-Times file photo
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Dr. King falls after being struck by a rock from a taunting mob in Marquette Park, Aug. 5, 1966. | Sun-Times file photo
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Dr. King leads civil rights marchers in song and prayer in front of real estate office. | AP photo
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King: Mayor Daley could do more “to deal with problems we confront in the Negro community.”
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Mayor Richard Daley, right, foreground, sits across room from Dr. King to discuss open housing.
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With Rev. Jesse Jackson in Chicago. King:”We aren’t going to let any injunction turn us around.”
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Dr. King addresses an impromptu press conference.
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American Nazi Party marchers at Greater Mount Hope Baptist Church, where King was meeting.
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White youths display racist sign as Dr. King and demonstrators marched into all-white neighborhood.
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Reporters interview Dr. King after court-issued injunction restricted civil rights marches in Chicago.
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Dr. King leads civil rights marchers in an all-white neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
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After rainy civil rights march, drops of rain glisten on Dr. King’s forehead.
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