The Martin Luther King Jr.  Commemoration Celebration was started in 1983 as a way to celebrate King’s legacy.

Each January, the university participates in a campus candlelight march and a keynote program.

The San Marcos community attends and elementary students participate in the annual art and essay contest.  Texas State students also have a chance to win an award for the best art or poetry.

Over the years, the event has grown to at least 500 participants.