Here’s how you can observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Columbia

The 34th National Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will take place virtually on Monday, January 17 at 4 p.m. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed in the United States on the third Monday of January each year.

If you’re searching for ways to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Columbia, there are two virtual festivities and a drive-thru food drive.

Because of the dramatic spike of COVID-19 cases in Cincinnati, many of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day events have shifted from in-person to virtual-only, according to our media colleagues at the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Here is a list of local activities this year commemorating the Civil Rights pioneer.

Commemorative MLK Day 10:30 a.m. March, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 Freedom Way, Downtown. The march will begin at the Freedom Center and culminate at Washington Park with an ecumenical prayer session. Masks are essential.

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Robert “Sonny” Hill Community Center, 800 Lafayette Ave., Middletown. Breakfast for the community, health exams, speakers, and community visioning The City of Middletown is sponsoring this event.

Beginning Sunday, the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, at Indiana University will host its annual two-day conference. The seminar will center on Martin Luther King Jr.’s “The Purpose of Education,” a school newspaper piece he wrote while attending Morehouse College.

“The Martin Luther King Jr. Governmental Holiday is a day aim to inspire individuals, support community, bridge gaping holes, create ways to solve problems, and brought us all nearer to King’s vision of the caring society,” said Dr. Rufus L. Wood, Jr., Bay County NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). You can also read more about the Winter storm warnings.

The holiday was originally observed on January 20, 1986, according to National Today. It was relocated to the third Monday of January, rather than King’s birthday. It adheres to the criteria established by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had just 39 years on Earth. Thirteen years have passed since the Civil Rights Movement began. What an impact he had on the globe. “Dr. King used his time to effect constructive change in America and across the world,” said Wood.