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Events for 50th Anniversary commemorating assassination of MLK Jr.

Individuals around the nation and world plan to honor Dr. King on April 4, 2018, and throughout the year.
Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

ATLANTA – Bernice King was just 5 years old when her father was assassinated.

Fifty years later, she's hoping that the events she's planning to commemorate a half-century since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s death will help the nation recalibrate, rededicate and work to fulfill his dream.

"For me, it is an opportunity to do some deeper healing," King said. "I've had some difficult moments leading up to all of this planning. I have days where I've cried."

On Thursday, Bernice King, now the CEO of the King Center, revealed the details and list of events for the 50th anniversary.

"Daddy gave us the vision," she said.

Bernice King said she's comforted seeing students across the country marching and speaking out about issues such as gun violence.

"They refuse to back down," she said. "We must make a change. It is a mandate. It's not an option anymore."

Individuals around the nation and world plan to honor Dr. King on April 4, 2018, and throughout the year. This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the founding of The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

Below is a list of the major events:

January 15 to April 4, 50 Acts of Service of Kindness Campaign: Communities participate in service projects or commit acts of kindness to have a positive impact. You can join the conversation by using #MLK50Forward and #MLK50Kindness.

April 4, Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Prize Award Ceremony: This is the highest award presented for commitment to nonviolence as a way of life through which social justice, human rights, and civil liberties are attained for all. IT will be awarded to two men recognized for their achievements over the years.

April 4, Global Bell Ringing: At 7:01 p.m. ET (6:01 CT) bells across the country will ring 39 times in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr.

April 5 to 7, Beloved Community Talks: A Special 50th Anniversary Edition: These days will interact courageous conversations focused on addressing the “Triple Evils” Dr. King emphasized: poverty, racism, and war, featuring the world’s greatest public intellectuals, innovative thinkers, and global policy leaders.

April 6 to 7, Global “Together We Win” Hackathon: This is a global call to young people to create new technological solutions to disrupt the cycle of poverty in order to reduce the wealth gap, in partnership with the world’s leading tech companies.

April 9, Service and March for Humanity from Ebenezer to Morehouse: A 3.5-mile walk from The King Center to Morehouse College will be a march in Atlanta, Georgia commemorating the iconic funeral procession.

For the complete list of events and additional information, you can visit the MLK 50 Forward website.

In June, there will be a weekend of events from the 23 to 26 that will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The King Center including an international expo and festival on the center’s grounds.

To hear from Bernice King, you can watch her full press conference below:

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