Springfield celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year with events that honor the civil rights leader’s legacy and bring the community together. From educational programs to opportunities for public service, the day serves as a time to reflect on Dr. King’s message of equality and justice.
One of the central events is the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, organized by Springfield Frontiers International. The 2025 breakfast will be held on Monday, January 20, at 8:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Convention Center (3000 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL). Tickets for the event are $40 each. The keynote speaker will be Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White, the first African American woman to serve on the state’s highest court. A Republican, Justice Holder White, is expected to speak about her experiences in the legal field and the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy on Monday, Jan. 20, by presenting his most famous speech and hosting a blood drive on the holiday that is often called a "national day of service.” Guests can also enjoy a performance by a string quartet. A reading of King’s "I Have a Dream” speech, will be performed at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the museum’s main plaza.
King originally delivered the speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during a 1963 civil rights march in Washington, D.C. He praised Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation as "a great beacon light of hope” but said African Americans were still chained by segregation and discrimination.
"Dr. King’s powerful words both connect us to the past and push us to build a better future,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. "Every American should reflect on King’s message, and there’s no better way to do that than by hearing the speech delivered live. Reggie Guyton’s performance is always touching.”
At the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), the Diversity Center organizes events to engage students and the broader community in conversations about social justice. These include lectures, cultural performances, and panels inspired by Dr. King’s teachings, emphasizing the importance of continuing the fight for equality.
A visit to “Freedom Corner” offers another way to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy in Springfield. The site, located across from the Illinois State Capitol, features the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Marker. This landmark was dedicated in 1989 and serves as a lasting tribute to Dr. King’s influence on the civil rights movement and its connection to the city.
Illinois holds the distinction of being the first state to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a state holiday. On September 17, 1973, just five years after Dr. King’s assassination, Illinois took this step to honor his contributions to civil rights and social justice. This recognition came a full decade before the federal government designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday in 1983.