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Denver's Marade honors civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Every January, the Mile High City commemorates civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy with one of the largest MLK Jr. Day celebrations in the U.S.

DENVER — Every third Monday in January, Denver celebrates the life and legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a march and parade, or Marade, through the streets of the city. 

The Marade celebrated its 38th anniversary this year and kicked off at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 16 at the MLK statue located in City Park. 

Coined by Commission Chairperson Representative Wilma Webb, the word 'Marade' is a combination of a march and a parade. It's meant to celebrate the victories achieved in combating injustices that had occurred, and march non-violently to always confront injustices in the future wherever they may be.

In April 1985, Governor Dick Lamm signed legislation into law making the birth date of Dr. King a Colorado holiday

At its inaugural event in January 1986, the Marade drew an estimated 15,000 people – with the exception of Atlanta, Dr. King's birthplace – Denver's Marade is the largest celebration in the country. Since then, an average 60,000 people attend the event every year. 

Credit: kusa
Denver's Martin Luther King Jr.'s Marade route begins near City Park and ends at Civic Center Park.

This year's Marade keynote speaker was Clint Bryant, a respected leader in intercollegiate athletics who served 34 years as head of Augusta University Athletics.

Find a list of the scheduled events around the city to celebrate Dr. King.

>Watch a replay of the Marade in the video player below

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