Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968

It's only fitting that tomorrow's inauguration of the nation's first African-American president comes a day after we celebrate the life of a man who gave his life fighting for racial equality.

Today St. Louisans will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in a number of ways. One the largest of those events begins at 9.45 a.m. this morning at the Old Courthouse. The ceremony is followed by a march to Powell Hall beginning around 11 a.m.

Other noteworthy activities today include the ongoing George Washington Carver exhibit on display at the Missouri History Museum and the Katherine Dunham exhibition also on view at the history museum.

Want to do something charitable on this day? State Senator Jeff Smith is organizing a cleanup of St. Louis' Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Volunteers are to meet at the corner of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Union Avenue at noon. Donuts and hot chocolate will be provided -- not that Dr. King ever got such a warm reception when he rolled-up his shirtsleeves.