ATLANTA – The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site and Ebenezer Baptist Church will commemorate the annual observance of King Remembrance Week, April 4-8, to honor the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A wreath-laying ceremony will take place at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Heritage Sanctuary in Atlanta on Monday April 4, to launch the week’s activities.

This year marks the 48th anniversary of King’s death.

Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., and his body was returned for burial in the Sweet Auburn community, now a National Historic District. His funeral took place at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and Morehouse College on April 9, 1968.

The National Park Service, along with members of Ebenezer Baptist Church, will mark this solemn history by placing a replica of the 1968 wreath at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Heritage Sanctuary, as it appeared on April 9, 1968.

In addition, a continuous open house, Silent Birth Home Tour will take place on Monday, April 4, and Friday, April 8, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. To tour the home, visitors must meet at the front steps of the Birth Home where a park ranger will begin the tour.

“We encourage the visitor to silently walk through the Birth Home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and explore the community and family life that guided and nurtured this future Civil Rights leader,” said Judy Forte, the park’s superintendent.

All events are free of charge and open to the public.

Photo: The tomb of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King (photo by Sjkorea81 / Creative Commons).