Columbia, South Carolina – The City of Columbia is preparing to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with its 38th annual commemoration service, continuing a long-standing tradition of reflection, remembrance, and community gathering. The event will happen on Monday, January 19, 2026, in Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Greene Street in Columbia.
The Stone of Hope will host a wreath-laying ceremony at 3:00 p.m., which will kick off the day’s events. This tribute will celebrate Dr. King’s legacy before the main event starts.
At 4:00 p.m., there will be an official memorial service. City leaders, residents, and partner groups are anticipated to come together to honor the national holiday.
Dr. Bobby J. Donaldson, an associate professor at the University of South Carolina and an esteemed historian, will be the main speaker. Dr. Donaldson is the university’s first executive director of the Center for Civil Rights History and Research and the James E. and Emily E. Clyburn Endowed Chair in Public Service and Civic Engagement…