Ways to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy

Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Jan. 20, this year and even nearly 60 years after his death, his teachings continue to inspire and promote equality. 

This year’s theme is "Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365," according to The King Center. 

"This theme defines the 2025 King Holiday Observance events and programming while serving as a compass for all the work we will do this upcoming calendar year and beyond," according to the center’s website. 

FILE - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr speaking before crowd of 25,000 Selma To Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers, in front of Montgomery, Alabama state capital building on March 25, 1965, in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein/Get

RELATED: What's open and closed on MLK Day and Inauguration Day

King holiday and Trump’s inauguration

MLK Jr. Day falls on the same day as President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration

But this isn’t the first time the holiday coincided with a president’s inauguration. 

President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama were both sworn in for their second terms on the holiday. 

How to honor MLK

What they're saying:

"As we prepare for a new presidential administration — or a repeat in some ways — this King holiday, I am calling on all people of goodwill and conscience to do more than commemorate and celebrate King for a day," Rev. Bernice King, CEO of the King Center and King’s daughter, said. "I’m calling us to do more than, quote King, which we love to do."

What you can do: 

Donate

Here is a list of foundations that go toward efforts to support King’s legacy as well as honoring his name. 

Kids and MLK Jr. Day

For parents wishing to teach their kids about King and his life and legacy, here are a few books that are recommended by KinderCare. 

Babies and toddlers: 

  • "Good Night Martin Luther King Jr.," by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper, illustrated by Julissa More
  • "That is My Dream," by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Daniel Miyares
  • "Dream Big, Little One," by Vashti Harrison

Preschoolers:

  • "Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King," by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by J. Brian Pinkney
  • "Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier
  • "We March," by Shane W. Evans

Elementary schoolers:

  • "A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.," by David A. Adler, illustrated by Robert Casilla
  • "My Brother Martin," by Christina King Farris, illustrated by Christ Soentpiet
  • "I Have a Dream," by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Visit a local monument or museum

There are several civil rights museums and monuments dedicated to sharing King’s message. 

Here are just a few of the well-known ones: 

The Source: Information for this article was gathered from The Associated Press, the King Center, KinderCare’s website, the Memorial Foundation website, the National Civil Rights Museum website, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park website, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute website, SPLC website, the Civil Rights Trail website, and the Smithsonian website. This story was reported from Los Angeles. 

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