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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Above / Martin Luther King, Jr., led the March on Washington in 1963, a demonstration from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial where he presented his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech for racial equality, freedom and justice for all. (Photo via World Book 1989 / Ebony Magazine)

Remember Martin Luther King, Jr. ( 1929-1968)

I say to you today, my friends, though, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

 —Martin Luther King, Jr.

Naperville Public Schools Closed on Jan. 20, 2020

To commemorate Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 20, schools are closed in Districts 203 and 204.

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“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.

MLK Week at North Central College

The public is invited to events at North Central College to honor the legacy of the civil rights leader during its annual MLK Week to help promote better understanding for all.

2PM Sat., Jan. 18, Meiley-Swallow Hall (31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville) – Candacy Taylor’s Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America book presentation, in partnership with Anderson’s Bookshop.

Event Description: For 30 years, starting in 1936, The Green Book was the African-American traveler’s trusted travel guide. Knowing where black vacationers and road warriors could safely spend the night, purchase meals or buy gas was a minefield. The well-informed traveler needed confidence in potentially life or death matters. That fascinating and frightening history unfolds in Candacy Taylor’s latest book. This event is free and open to the public.

3PM Sun., Jan. 19, Wentz Concert Hall (171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville) – Chicago Sinfonietta’s Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Concert Overview: As part of the Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual tribute to MLK, the group will join forces with the North Central College Concert Choir and Roosevelt University’s Conservatory Chorus to perform Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, the “Resurrection Symphony.” 

10AM Mon., Jan. 20: Annual MLK Prayer Breakfast at North Central College Wentz Science Center is Jan. 20, featuring an address this year by Dr. Herman B. White, Jr. For last-minute RSVP availability, contact Marilyn Zydlo at mdzydlo@noctrl.edu.  

Keynote Speaker Brief Bio: Dr. Herman B. White Jr., a member of the North Central College Board of Trustees who recently retired from a distinguished 45-year as a senior scientist at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Ill. Throughout Dr. White’s career, he collaborated in the design, commission and data analysis of several of the world’s best known particle physics experiments. He is considered the first African-American in history to have a scientific equation that bears his name. Dr. White is featured as part of the 50th anniversary celebration the Black Creativity exhibit at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, which aims to showcase African-Americans and their contributions, past and current, to the fields of science, technology, engineering and medicine.

MLK Breakfast at Benedictine University

8AM Mon., Jan. 20: Benedictine University MLK Breakfast will be held in Goodwin Hall, Room 411, 5700 College Rd., Lisle Campus.

Event Overview: Sponsored by Center for Mission, Ministry, and Inclusion, the keynote speaker is Dr. Lucy Di Rosa, Director of Content and Communications at the Sargent Shriver Peace Insititute. She leads the digital communications, marketing, and historical research efforts for the organization. The Sargent Shriver Peace Institute is a research and communications organization devoted to the study of Sargent Shriver (1915-2011) as a peacebuilder. Suggested donation is $25 per person. INFO: Karl Constant at kconstant@ben.edu.

Did you know?

Michael King, Jr. was born in Atlanta on January 15, 1929, a namesake of his father, Reverend Michael King. That child is recognized today as civil-rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr.  King’s birthday was approved as a federal holiday in 1983, signed into being by President Ronald Reagan. By 2000, all 50 states had made it a state government holiday. 

According to many stories online, the name change came after his father’s travels to Germany, where he was inspired by Martin Luther, the 16th-century leader of the Protestant Reformation. Afterward, the Reverend changed both his name as well as that of his five-year-old son to Martin Luther. Young Martin went on to become one of the most important figures of 20th-century American history. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated in the U.S. on the third Monday in in January every year, and Americans are encouraged to volunteer  to commemorate Dr. King’s legacy.

A Song of Tribute for all Seasons

Written in 1968 by Dick Holler, “Abraham, Martin & John” (Click to listen to YouTube) was first recorded by Dion DiMucci, known as “Dion” with Dion and the Belmonts.  The song is a tribute to the memories of icons of social change, Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968), John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) and Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968).

In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.  

—Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Quotations are excerpts from “I Have a Dream.”

Complete text of “I Have a Dream” Speech

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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