SDSU to celebrate one of the “most important” moments in school’s history

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – San Diego State University is scheduled Wednesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. at the Open Air Theatre.

The school plans to install a plaque commemorating the May 29, 1964, speech at the amphitheater. The celebration is scheduled today because the spring semester will end before the actual anniversary.

“When Dr. King came to San Diego State, he had just been named Time Magazine’s Man of the Year and was about to be named the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history — he was already a global icon,” said Seth Mallios, chairman of SDSU’s anthropology department and the campus historian.

He said King’s appearance was one of the most important moments in SDSU history.

Newspaper articles and other memorabilia from the speech will be on display today, according to SDSU.

Also on display will be items that were found after school officials made a public call for the estimated 4,000 who attended the speech to share their memories and artifacts.

Among the speakers will be alumnus Willie Horton, who said King’s talk changed his life.