Martin Luther King Day Travel in the SE 2009
Southeast Vacations Celebrating African-American History
Jan 6, 2009
The southeast corner of the U.S. is rich in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. It was also the home of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was born and educated in Atlanta, Georgia. He would later move to pastor a church in Montgomery, Alabama and was assassinated on the balcony of a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. Consequently, there are many educational and historical sites, as well as programs and activities planned in the southeast to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. King.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Day in Montgomery, Alabama
For several years Dr. King pastored a church in Montgomery. The church and parsonage are now national historic landmarks and opened for tours. In addition to the tour, there are many opportunities to celebrate King Day in Montgomery.
- Visit the Civil Rights Memorial and Center. In addition to the beautiful memorial, guests can enjoy various educational and art exhibits. The center is open during the week from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. There is a nominal fee for admission.
- Tour the Rosa Parks Library and Museum. The museum offers a wealth of information about the Civil Rights movement. There are different exhibits to see including one that reenacts the bus scene that was instrumental in starting the Montgomery Boycott. The museum is open on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and weekdays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Day in Memphis, Tennessee
Dr. King was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. While visiting Memphis one can learn much about the Civil Rights Movement and the life of Dr. King. Consider the following activities:
- Visit the National Civil Rights Museum. On King Day the museum will be open from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Several special events will take place in honor of Dr. King including dramatic and musical performances, speeches and exhibits.
- Attend the Seventh Annual Martin Luther King Day Game and Celebration sponsored by the Memphis Grizzlies. In addition to the competition against the Detroit Pistons, there will be a breakfast, high school classic, and ceremony in which both Julius Erving and Dave Bing will be honored for their contributions to the community and to civil/human rights. Events begin at 8 a.m.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Day in Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. King was born in the Atlanta area. He was educated there and would later graduate from Atlanta’s Morehouse College. The King Center (the official memorial to Dr. King) is located in the Atlanta area. A visit to Atlanta is a wonderful way to experience and celebrate the memory of Dr. King. If in the area consider the following programs and activities:
- The Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service will be held on Monday, January 19 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. Guest speaker will be Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. The program will begin at 10 a.m.
- Visit the King Center and the burial site of Dr. King. The grounds also include the childhood home of Dr. King, a library, special exhibits and a gift shop. Guests can visit the center from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. any day of the week.
- On Thursday, January 15, Morehouse College's Glee Club will perform at a concert in honor of Dr. King. The concert will be held on the campus of Morehouse at the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel. Tickets are $25. The concert will begin at 8 p.m.
