April 4th Marks 50th Anniversary of the Death of Dr. Martin Luther King North Carolinians are Encouraged to Participate in Bell Ringing Ceremonies and Commemorative Events

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. King, four North Carolina organizations are holding events around the state and North Carolina institutions are encouraged to hold bell ringing ceremonies at 7:01 PM EST on Wednesday, April 4th.

Institutions interested in participating in the nationwide bell toll can register their event on the National Civil Rights Museum’s website.

Governor Roy Cooper will serve as the keynote speaker for the commemorative event at Williston Middle School in Wilmington, NC. The event is hosted by the MLK 50-year Anniversary Commemoration Commission. 

Dr. Martin Luther King was scheduled to conduct a voter registration drive in Wilmington on the day he died, but cancelled his appearance to stand with sanitation workers in Memphis, TN.

In celebration of his life the Wilmington event will feature a bell toll at 7:01 PM EST.

Upcoming commemorative events in NC include:

• Drum Majors Alliance hosts MLK event at the Enterprise Conference and Banquet Center in Winston-Salem, NC from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• The American Bible Society heads MLK event at Little Rock AME Zion Church in Charlotte, NC from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• MLK 50-Year Anniversary Commensuration Commission event at Williston Middle School in Wilmington, NC from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Capital City Lawyers Association celebrates the life of MLK at First Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

For a complete list of events across the U.S., including a live-stream of activities scheduled at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, TN, visit the National Civil Rights Museum’s website.