Photo by Gabriel Christus/Aurora Sentinel File Photo
AURORA | Aurora’s month-long celebration of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. continues, bringing a presentation of music, dance and film to the city in honor of the civil rights icon.
Themed “I Am The Dream,” the series of events will reflect on the life of the Georgia-born Baptist minister and activist, who emerged as one of the most prominent voices for Black civil rights in the 1950s and ’60s before he was assassinated in 1968.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. He chose that location in part to honor President Abraham Lincoln as “a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today.” Now, millions of people honor King in the same way.
On the third Monday of January — close to King’s Jan. 15 birthday — federal, state and local governments, institutions and various industries recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For some, the holiday is just that — time off from work or school. But, King’s family and others carrying on his legacy of equality, justice and non-violent protest want Americans to remember that this holiday is really about helping others.
Aurora events this month often focus on providing service to others.
While it is now a time-honored tradition, the establishment of the holiday had a prolonged, difficult path to acceptance.
How MLK JR Day began
The idea to establish a national holiday for the civil rights icon arose as the nation was plunged into grief. U.S. Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, one of the longest-serving members of Congress known for his liberal stance on civil rights, proposed legislation to recognize King four days after his assassination outside a motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.
Supporters knew it would not be easy. King, who was 39 years old at the time, was a polarizing figure to half the country even before his death, said Lerone Martin, director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. Polls conducted by the Washington Post and the New York Times indicated most Americans did not trust King or thought he was too radical because of his speeches on poverty, housing and against the Vietnam War.
“People say that King is moving too fast after 1965 and basically ‘Hey, you got the Voting Rights bill done. That’s enough,’” Martin said.
The Congressional Black Caucus, founded by Conyers, tried to bring the legislation up for a vote for the next 15 years. Among the Republican rebuttals — public holidays don’t apply to private citizens, King was a communist or King was a womanizer. In the meantime, his widow, Coretta Scott King, kept lobbying for it. Musician Stevie Wonder even released a song, “Happy Birthday,” to rally support.
By the 1980s, the social and cultural climate in the U.S. had shifted and the public was reflecting on racial progress, Martin said. Most Americans now were also regretting the Vietnam War. Supporters, meanwhile, were still calling for federal holiday status.
In 1983, about 20 years after King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, legislation for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday of January cleared Congress and President Ronald Reagan signed it.
Photo by Gabriel Christus/Aurora Sentinel
Communities like Aurora moved ahead as states stepped back
Reagan’s signing did not lead other Republicans to follow. It would be 17 more years until all 50 states observed it. Most of the foot-dragging came from the South — except for Arizona. Then in 1987, Gov. Evan Mecham rescinded his predecessor’s executive order enacting a state holiday in Arizona.
“He said ‘Black people don’t need a holiday. Y’all need jobs,’” recalled Dr. Warren H. Stewart Sr., senior pastor at First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix. “That started the war.”
Stewart launched a group to lead “people of all colors and all persuasions, faiths and parties” in protest marches. Entertainers including Wonder canceled Arizona events. Companies moved conventions. The tipping point was the loss of hosting the Super Bowl. In 1992, Arizona became the first state where voter initiative reinstated the King holiday.
Supporters took a victory lap the next MLK Day with a packed arena concert attended by Wonder and other artists. Even Rosa Parks was there. Stewart remembers speaking to the crowd.
“What I said there — and it still applies today — we’ve won the holiday but the holiday is a symbol of liberty and justice for all and we must move from symbol to substance,” he said.
South Carolina was the final holdout until 2000. But, it was without the backing of the civil rights groups because it also allowed for a Confederate Memorial Day.
Not just a ‘day off’
Martin Luther King Jr. Day’s reach has only grown in its 42 years.
It’s the only federal holiday where you take a “day on, not a day off.” In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed into law Congressman John Lewis and Sen. Harris Wofford’s legislation making it a National Day of Service.
Just about every major city and suburb has some revelry the weekend before, including parades, street festivals and concerts. The various service projects run the gamut — community clean-up, packing food boxes, donating blood.
AmeriCorps, the federal agency that deploys volunteers to serve communities around the nation, has distributed $1.5 million in grants to 200 nonprofits, faith-based groups and other organizations for projects. CEO Michael Smith estimates there have been hundreds of projects involving hundreds of thousands of people for MLK day in recent years. Engagement seems to be expanding.
“You know, any given day I see another project that has nothing to do with us,” said Smith, who had served in President Joe Biden’s administration. “What’s so important about the King holiday is not only the service that’s going to happen, but how it creates a spark for people to think about how maybe they’re going to serve all year long.”
That’s something King’s daughter, the Rev. Bernice King and CEO of the King Center in Atlanta, desires as well. She wishes people would do more than “quote King, which we love to do.” They need to do good work and commit daily “to embrace the spirit of nonviolence.”
Martin also thinks it’s important to learn about the man himself. He finds excitement in seeing people read or hear about the Nobel Peace Prize winner. But, nothing compares to taking in King’s own writings such as his 1963 “Letter from the Birmingham Jail,” he added.
“We can arm ourselves with his ideals,” Martin said. “We can continue to have a conversation with him — not just on one day but actually throughout the year.”
Photo by Gabriel Christus/Aurora Sentinel
Aurora has long honored King in January
For almost four decades, the celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life in Aurora has involved far more than just the third Monday in January.
Since 1986, city officials have organized a bevy of events throughout the weeks surrounding King’s birthday on Jan. 15. And this year the city’s annual MLK Day celebration is no different.
The city salutes a Denver event on the actual holiday, encouraging residents here to join in the annual Denver Marade on Jan. 19, beginning at Denver’s City Park with a march toward the Colorado Capitol.
Most city offices will be closed Jan. 19, honoring MLK Day. In addition, most city offices, courts and services are slated to be closed Jan. 16 as well, the first of four “employee furlough” days in 2026, essentially creating a four-day holiday for most employees, with one day being unpaid.
Here are some of the events scheduled in and near Aurora through the holiday:
Aurora MLK Opening Celebration at the Aurora Municipal Center
Aurora’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Week officially begins with a civic gathering designed to set the tone for a week of reflection, service, and community dialogue. Hosted by the City of Aurora, the opening celebration brings together city leadership, faith leaders, artists, and residents to honor Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolence, equity, and public service. The program typically includes musical performances, spoken-word presentations, and an official proclamation recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Aurora. Organizers describe the event as both a remembrance and a call to action, encouraging residents to carry King’s values into their daily lives throughout the year.
IF YOU GO: Jan. 12, noon–1:30 p.m. at the Aurora Municipal Center Lobby, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. The event is free. Details at AuroraGov.org/MLK or by calling 303-739-7000
The Local Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Aurora History Museum
This in-depth panel discussion explores how Dr. King’s national civil rights work influenced Colorado communities and local activism. Hosted by the Aurora History Museum, the program brings together historians, educators, and community advocates to examine Aurora’s own civil rights history and the ways King’s teachings shaped movements for housing equity, education access, and social justice in the region. Audience members are encouraged to participate in discussion and ask questions, making this event both educational and conversational. The evening is ideal for those interested in history, civic engagement, and understanding how national movements take root at the local level.
IF YOU GO: Jan. 14, 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at the Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway. The event is free but registration is required. Go to AuroraMuseum.org or call 303-739-6660
Aurora MLK Interfaith Breakfast at Z New Summit Event Center
Faith communities across Aurora gather for this annual breakfast honoring Dr. King’s commitment to unity, compassion, and moral leadership. Hosted as part of Aurora’s official MLK Commemoration Week, the interfaith breakfast features prayers and reflections from leaders representing multiple faith traditions, along with remarks from civic leaders and community organizers. A shared meal anchors the morning, reinforcing the theme of coming together across differences. Organizers emphasize that the event is open to all, regardless of religious background, and is intended to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration throughout the year.
IF YOU GO: Jan. 15, 8 a.m.–10 a.m. at the New Summit Event Center, 411 Sable Blvd. The event is free, but registration is required. Go AuroraGov.org/MLK or call 303-739-7000
MLK Youth and College Night: ‘I Am the Dream’
Designed to center young voices, this evening program focuses on leadership development, civic engagement, and the future of social justice work. Hosted at the Community College of Aurora, Youth and College Night invites middle school, high school, and college students to explore Dr. King’s message through interactive activities, keynote speakers, and small-group discussions. Dinner is provided, and the event emphasizes empowerment, education, and the role young people play in shaping more equitable communities. Organizers say the goal is to help participants see themselves as active contributors to Dr. King’s ongoing legacy.
IF YOU GO: Jan. 16, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at the Community College of Aurora, 16000 E. Centretech Parkway. The event is free. Details at AuroraGov.org/MLK or by calling 303-360-4700.
MLK Day of Service: Hygiene Kit Packing at Martin Luther King Jr. Library
In the spirit of Dr. King’s belief that service strengthens communities, volunteers are invited to participate in a hands-on service project assembling hygiene kits for local residents in need. Hosted at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, the event welcomes individuals, families, and groups looking to give back during MLK week. Supplies are provided, and organizers stress that no prior volunteer experience is required. The project offers a tangible way to honor King’s legacy by supporting dignity, health, and compassion in the Aurora community.
IF YOU GO: Jan. 17, 9 a.m.–11 a.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave. Registration encouraged at AuroraGov.org/MLK or by calling 303-739-7000
MLK Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Martin Luther King Jr. Library
This solemn ceremony invites community members to pause and reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City leaders, educators, and residents gather to lay a commemorative wreath and share brief remarks honoring King’s commitment to justice, peace, and equality. The ceremony is intentionally simple and reflective, providing a moment of quiet remembrance amid a week of celebration and activity. Attendees are encouraged to stay afterward to visit the library or engage in conversation with fellow community members.
IF YOU GO: Jan. 17, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave. For details go to AuroraGov.org/MLK.
Denver Martin Luther King Jr. Day Marade and Celebration
One of the region’s largest MLK events, Denver’s annual “Marade” combines a march and parade into a single celebration of unity and civic pride. Thousands gather near City Park for an opening program featuring music, speeches, and community recognition before proceeding along the parade route. The event draws participants from across the metro area, including Aurora residents, and is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and emphasis on nonviolence, service, and inclusion. Organizers encourage attendees to dress warmly, bring signs reflecting Dr. King’s message, and stay for post-event activities.
IF YOU GO: Jan. 19, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The march begins at Denver’s City Park and concludes at Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park in Denver. Details are at www.denvergov.org or by calling 720-913-1311.
MLK Peace Breakfast at Metropolitan State University of Denver
A long-standing Denver tradition, the MLK Peace Breakfast honors individuals and organizations who exemplify Dr. King’s commitment to social justice, education, and community service. Hosted by MSU Denver, the event includes a keynote address, award presentations, and student performances. Attendees include educators, nonprofit leaders, students, and community advocates from across the metro area. While ticketed, the breakfast is widely regarded as one of the region’s most meaningful MLK observances, offering inspiration and practical examples of community leadership.
IF YOU GO: Jan. 16, 8:30 a.m.–11 a.m. at Tivoli Turnhalle on the Auraria Campus in Denver Tickets: $25-$30 and advance purchase recommended. Details at/www.msudenver.edu/mlk-breakfast/ or by calling 303-556-5740.
How things have changed. Martin Luther King Jr. preached that race shouldn’t matter; that the color of one’s skin shouldn’t matter. He preached that people should be judged by their nature and character rather than how they looked.
Today, progressive woke leadership in the Black community, as indicated by Critical Race Theory (CRT), teach us that not only does race matter, but that it is primary, or critical, in understanding the nature of an individual. CRT insists that White folks are inherently oppressors and no matter how hard they may try, they cannot free themselves of this basic nature. It is for this reason that they are inferior to People of Color. In this regard, CRT advocates are closer to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, the leader of “Black Muslims,” than they are to Martin Luther King Jr.
So I guess we are back to judging people on the basis of their race again, only instead of People of Color being inferior, it is now White folks who are inferior.
In MLK Jr’s day, he was considered somewhat of a troublemaker by White society. I find it somewhat amusing that today, we are likely to hear White folk quoting MLK Jr. ( judge not by the color of one’s skin, but by the content of one’s character) to defend themselves against proponents of CRT. How things have changed.
Thank you for this informative article on the development of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. I wasn’t aware of the many elements involved. The fact that the holiday exists now is a demonstration of the deep racism he fought. We must continue to learn and to educate people about his teachings.