The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Tribute and Ceremony

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A statue against a blue sky.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The oldest official state celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. is Wisconsin's own “Tribute and Ceremony,” which returns to the Capitol Rotunda at noon on Jan. 16. The theme is “Let Justice Rule,” and the guest speaker is Lawrence University President Dr. Laurie A. Carter; music will be by members of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and the event will also be broadcast live on Wisconsin Public Radio and on the Wisconsin Channel from PBS Wisconsin. The King Coalition of Madison & Dane County Observance begins with a freedom songs sing-in at 5:15 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Overture Center. The program begins at 6 p.m., featuring guest speaker Donzaleigh Abernathy (daughter of the Rev. Ralph Abernathy), the MLK Community Choir, and the presentation of the Madison-Dane County MLK Humanitarian Awards (to Dr. Charles Taylor and the late Wayne Strong). Find a live broadcast on Madison City Channel and WORT-FM. For information on related events, visit mlkingcoalition.org.

media release: Wisconsin celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., live from the State Capitol rotunda in Madison on Jan. 16, at noon. Produced and directed by Wisconsin Public Radio's Dr. Jonathan Øverby, the 42nd annual Tribute and Ceremony is the official state ceremony, and the oldest official MLK Day state celebration in the United States. This year’s theme is “Let Justice Rule.” 

The 2023 event continues Wisconsin’s annual celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy in words and music. Program participants include Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra conducted by Andrew Sewell, Foundation of Life Praise Band, Prince Hall Masonic Honor Guard, Kalaanjali Dance Company, and guest speaker Laurie A. Carter, president of Lawrence University.

The event is free and open to the public. People throughout the state can listen live on all WPR stations and at wpr.org. PBS Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Channel and pbswisconsin.org will also carry the event live.