Federal offices and most state and local governments are closed. There will be no mail delivery, and U.S. stock markets are closed. Several of the events are taking place in Atlanta, where the nation's most celebrated human rights activist was born and where he preached about love, equality and nonviolence at Ebenezer Baptist Church, the pastorate of both his father and grandfather. Atlanta Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa is giving the keynote address at the annual commemorative service at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. King Week Celebration March and Rally.
Volunteers participate in community and humanitarian projects at several sites citywide.
Washington President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and Washington Mayor Anthony Williams will join volunteers who are visiting with senior citizens at a retirement home. Gore also will mark the day by announcing that the Clinton administration will request a 15 percent increase in federalspending on civil rights enforcement. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Gravity Tribute to Martin Luther King External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive. All Rights Reserved.