Today in the U.S. it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, honoring the memory and work of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. A celebration service (shown above) was held this afternoon at the National Civil Rights Museum, which is located in downtown Memphis. The crowd continued on to the right of the photo, and the area around the museum was quite busy today.
The museum is a popular destination for area residents, school groups, and also tourists. The museum was built around the old Lorraine Motel (the site of Dr. King's assassination on April 4, 1968), and the wreath on the balcony is permanent, marking the spot where Dr. King was shot. Please click on photos to enlarge. I will take more detailed photos on a day with a bit less activity, but I thought you might enjoy seeing the celebration held there today.
10 comments:
MLK was a pivotal figure in our history, IMHO.
Did the Lorraine Hotel get relocated from St. Louis? Is this the real deal and not a replica?
He was a pivotal figure, both nationally and in Memphis history.
The Lorraine is the original (and one and only, as far as I know) and is on its original site. Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis in 1968 (the Nobel Prize biography is interesting and mentions the Memphis connection...if you click on his highlighted name, it should take you to the bio). The museum was constructed to include the historic motel.
Thanks for your comments and questions!
I am surprised by how few people were there especially as it was a holiday.
I wonder (wherever he may be) if he's still saying, "Last night I had a dream" because I can't say that it has completely come true yet.
Thanks for reminding us.
Have a good Tuesday!
Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and your kind comments. Drop by again!
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Thank you. I never knew the details of how the museum was built.
'Miss' Mari-Nanci
Thanks for those photos - it is good to have this reminder. Looking forward to seeing more.
I never knew a musuem was built around that motel. Great post! I learn something new everyday.
a response for Clarice:
You asked about the crowd at the MLK Day celebration service in my photo. There were many more people to the right of the photo, behind that long wall, and also inside the museum. I also took that photo at about 4pm, and the festivities had been going on most of the day (so I was just capturing a "moment" of what had been happening all day). In Memphis, both MLK days are observed...his birthday in January, and also his death in April. So, the January day is a bit more celebratory, and the April observations are sometimes a bit more of a day of reflection.
Good to know, thank you for taking the time to answer.
MLK.....A phenomenal man and a day Americans will never forget.
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