America paused Monday to remember Martin Luther King Jr. with a variety of parades, marches and service projects.
King was born Jan. 15, 1929, and the federal holiday is the third Monday in January.
Hundreds of people filled Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta to remember and reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., who preached at the church.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal was one of the speakers at the service, which featured prayers, music and speeches. The Republican governor said there were not many states that can boast a native son that merits a national holiday, but added: "we Georgians can."
He also said this year he is committed to finding an appropriate way to honor King at the Georgia Capitol, but he didn't go into specifics.
"I think that more than just saying kind thoughts about him we ought to take action ourselves," said Deal, a Republican. "That's how we embed truth into our words. I think it's time for Georgia's leaders to follow in Dr. King's footsteps and take action, too."
In Memphis, Tenn., where King was assassinated, an audio recording of an interview with King would be played at the National Civil Rights Museum. The recording sheds new light on a phone call President John F. Kennedy made to King's wife more than 50 years ago.
Historians generally agree Kennedy's phone call to Coretta Scott King expressing concern over her husband's arrest in October 1960 — and Robert Kennedy's work behind the scenes to get King released — helped JFK win the White House.
In Ann Arbor, Mich., activist and entertainer Harry Belafonte planned to deliver the keynote address for the 28th annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium on Monday morning at the University of Michigan's Hill Auditorium.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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