Instead of starting the semester, Penn’s observance of the Martin Luther King Day holiday comes at the start of its third week, meaning that the entire campus will be able to participate in all of the events planned to commemorate King’s life and his vision. And for the second year, everyone will have the day off to make participating easier.

The centerpiece of the day, as in years past, is community service, with University-sponsored service projects both on campus and in the neighborhood. But the holiday is just one day in a two-week-long series of talks, programs, performances and activities organized around the theme of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration, “Remembering the Dream, Living the Vision.”

The calendar below offers only a selection of the events planned for the celebration through Jan. 23, because details for some events had not been finalized as of press time. To get the latest information, visit the African American Resource Center’s Martin Luther King Web site, www.upenn.edu/aarc/mlk.html, or call 215-898-0104. Events on and after Jan. 24 will be listed in the Jan. 24 issue.

Wednesday, Jan. 16

TALKS

HE CHANGED THE WORLD: The History Department’s “Twentieth-Century Lives” series concludes with History Professor Thomas Sugrue speaking on the life of Martin Luther King. 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 200, College Hall, Locust Walk between 34th and 36th streets. Info: www.history.upenn.edu or 215-898-8452.

SPECIAL EVENTS

GET ACTIVE! A “Community Service and Advocacy Night” spotlights community service opportunities. 7 to 9 p.m. at Civic House, 3914 Locust Walk.

Monday, Jan. 21

SPECIAL EVENTS

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST: The annual Martin Luther King Day breakfast brings together people from the University and West Philadelphia communities. 9 to 11 a.m. in the multipurpose room of DuBois College House, 3900 Walnut St.

SERVICE PROJECTS: Activities include children’s banner painting, sprucing up the building and grounds of a West Philadelphia public school and creating gifts for donation to West Philadelphia shelters, nursing homes and other charities. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various locations including the ARCH, 3601 Locust Walk, and Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St. To register for the banner painting and school clean-up, e-mail aarc@pobox.upenn.edu or call 215-898-0104.

TEACH PEACE: A School of Social Work teach-in deals with historical, social-welfare and civil-rights dimensions of America’s role in current world events and the principles of peace and social justice embodied in King’s life and work. 1 to 5:30 p.m. in the Hall of Flags, Houston Hall.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: Witness for peace and share your views on King’s legacy at this annual event. March begins at 7 p.m. at DuBois College House and proceeds to the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall for a program featuring music by The Inspiration.

Tuesday, Jan. 22

WORKSHOPS

ACT GLOBALLY: The “Global Grassroots Activism” workshop teaches organizing and advocacy skills to those seeking social and economic justice. 7 p.m. at the Greenfield Intercultural Center, 3708 Chestnut St.

Wednesday, Jan. 23

TALKS

KING’S VISION TODAY: A discussion sponsored by Civic House and the Christian Association focuses on the topic “Faith, Peace and Community in Troubled Times.” 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Ben Franklin Room, Houston Hall.