The King Holiday Bill was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Nov. 2, 1983. After a 15-year campaign, this bill officially recognized the third Monday in January as a federal holiday in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s contributions to civil rights in America. Today, many cities honor King with festivals, parades, marches and other celebrations on Martin Luther King Jr. day or the weekend before, as well as more permanent remembrances of MLK Jr.

You may be wondering, well who was Martin Luther King Jr? Well, he was a prominent leader of the civil rights movement in the United States from the 1950s to 1968, when he died by assassination. He advocated for the termination of legal segregation of Americans across the nation but, specifically the Southern states. King was also the head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which allowed him to have a platform to speak and promote peaceful, nonviolent solutions to race-related issues within American and global society. He traveled across the world spreading his message of nonviolence to many communities. According to “From Black Power to the Assassination of Martin Luther King” by Britannica, “American civil rights legislation of the 1960s became the basis for affirmative action-programs that increased opportunities for many Black students and workers as well as for women, disabled people, and other victims of discrimination.” This shows us that his work impacts hundreds of thousands of people, even in 2025, over 55 years after his death.

Martin Luther King Boulevard, which runs through Albina and East Portland, and was formerly Union Street, was named in his honor in 1989 after a two-year campaign. According to estimates by Derek H. Alderman, a professor of geography at the University of Tennessee, there are more than 1,000 streets across the world that are named after Martin Luther King Jr. Furthermore, over 955 of those streets are within the United States as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In Portland, there is both a street and elementary school named after Dr. King.

In fact, Martin Luther King Jr. visited Portland in 1961. On Nov. 8, Martin Luther King Jr. visited Portland State University and Vancouver Avenue Baptist Church. Later that day, Martin Luther King gave a speech for the Urban League of Portland’s Equal Opportunity Day program at Civic Auditorium(now known as the Keller Auditorium), where 3,500 people attended. During his speech, he mentioned how “We must learn to live together as brothers…Or perish as fools.”

There are a few permanent ways Martin Luther King Jr. is honored in Portland which includes naming of a major street and a bronze sculpture at the Oregon Convention Center.  Since August 28, 1998, the 35th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the sculpture has stood 8-feet tall along with three other figures: a man representing the American worker, a woman symbolizing immigration and a young girl releasing her grip on Dr. King’s coat, often seen as a representation of letting go. The creator of the monument, Micheal Florin Dente, mentioned how the young girl might represent the release that happens when people dedicate their time and energy to engage in a struggle. Dente went on to dedicate the sculpture to Dr. King’s dedication and sacrifices, those who believe in Dr. King’s message and to “the ongoing march for truth and justice”.

Here in Portland, many organizations host a variety of events to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Since Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School is closed to honor the civil rights activist, you may consider attending one or multiple of the following events or community service opportunities:

1. Community Art Build with Don’t Shoot PDX on Saturday Jan. 17, 2026 from 12pm to 3pm. All ages and experiences are invited to screen print and make art at Pacific Northwest College of Art. “This hands-on workshop will explore how to screen-print and other mediums such as folding zines and button-making.”

2. 20th Annual Drum Major “Empower the Dream” Service on Sunday Jan. 18, 2026 from 1:50pm to 4pm. This event is held at Portland’s historic Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, and is a fundraiser for the Drum Major Scholarships for Student Humanitarians at local high schools. Donations are encouraged but should not be a barrier to attendance. Not only does this service honor Martin Luther King Jr., but it also honors Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s wife, Yolanda King, the eldest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King and Rosa Parks. This service honors how “Each of them, in their own unique way, serve as a beacon light to anyone who is determined to help make our nation and the world better.”

3. The 12th Annual March for Human Rights and Dignity on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 at 1 p.m. This march, which is billed as ‘a call to action for all common unity groups’, is hosted by dontshootpdx.org at 700 North Rosa Parks Way. “Dr. King taught us the power of collective action and the importance of lifting every voice. If you feel moved to share your truth or offer words of hope, let us know—your voice deserves to be heard.”

   

4. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Cleanup on Monday, January 19, 2026. From 10am to 12pm at Irving Park and its surrounding areas, volunteers of all ages will work together to remove litter and recyclables from our streets, which prevents waste from entering our waterways. Immediately following the cleanup, from 11am to 4pm, participants will meet at Mike Bennett Studio, “…for a youth-friendly community gathering focused on creativity, learning and connection.”

5. Carol Anderson Presents Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture: The Strangling of American Democracy on Monday January 19, 2026 from 4pm to 6pm. This free event is held in the Agnes Flanagan Chapel at Lewis & Clark College and is open to all ages. Carol Anderson, a bestselling author and renowned public speaker, “will explore how racial divisiveness is being strategically used to undermine American democracy. At a moment when key provisions of the Voting Rights Act are under review in the Supreme Court and state legislatures are rapidly changing election laws, with potentially huge impacts for democracy, Carol offers important historical context.”

If you are interested in other opportunities to honor Dr. King, check out EverOut/Portland, PDX Parent, and Hands On Portland. So, whether you are someone who enjoys making art, hands-on community service or learning from talented speakers, there is definitely something for you this Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend.