The late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. will be honored in a special celebration in Madera on Sunday, a day before the official federal holiday observing his birthday. Had he lived until today, King — who was assassinated on April 4, 1968— would have been 85 years old.
An afternoon reception will be held in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School cafeteria, 601 Lilly St.
Coffee, punch and cookies donated by Madera Community Hospital’s food service department will be served at 2 p.m., followed by the main program at 2:30 p.m.
The event in Madera has been organized annually by the Martin Luther King Jr. local host committee even before King was honored with a national holiday, which was first celebrated on Jan. 20, 1986, organizers said. The local celebration is also organized by the Madera County Office of Education. The aim is to celebrate King’s legacy by emphasizing his life and works...