Historic Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday & President Trump Inuguration

This January 20th (2025), as we observe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday commemorating Dr. King's indelible impact on the Civil Rights movement, we also note its coincidence with President Donald Trump's historic inauguration. This alignment of events underscores a pivotal moment in our nation's history and the ongoing dialogue about our nation's values, including justice and equality.

Dr. King, best known for his transformative "I Have A Dream" speech delivered at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, provided a rhetorical cornerstone that continues to influence the struggle for racial equality. This speech, a highlight of the televised and recorded March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, united a vast array of participants and civil rights leaders in a collective demand for justice and economic opportunity.

Throughout his life, Dr. King advocated tirelessly for civil rights, achieving several key milestones:

1. March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963): Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech vividly encapsulated his vision of racial harmony.
2. St. Augustine Movement (1964): His participation significantly bolstered the broader Civil Rights Movement.
3. Selma to Montgomery Marches (1965): Dr. King led crucial marches to highlight the essential fight for voting rights.
4. Chicago Open Housing Movement (1966-1967): Addressing housing segregation, Dr. King lived in Chicago to spotlight the city's stark racial divides.
5. Opposition to the Vietnam War (1967): Dr. King openly condemned the war, emphasizing peace and justice in his "Beyond Vietnam" speech.
6. Poor People's Campaign (1967-1968): A shift towards economic justice, aiming to alleviate poverty across races.
7. Sanitation Workers' Strike in Memphis (1968): His final campaign, where he delivered the prophetic "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech.

Dr. King's assassination on April 4, 1968, at Memphis' Lorraine Motel, cut his remarkable life tragically short. This location, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum, stands as a testament to his legacy, featuring exhibits like the commemorative wreath and the adjacent building from where the fatal shot was fired.

Beyond his public endeavors, Dr. King's correspondence with his wife, Coretta Scott King, reveals his sacrifices and the simplicity he yearned for amidst his monumental public role. The museum enriches this narrative with an audio tour that concludes with these intimate letters, offering insights into their private life against a backdrop of public strife.

As we reflect on Dr. King's enduring contributions this MLK Day, and as we consider the broader implications of our current political landscape with President Trump's inauguration, it is also a moment to acknowledge the efforts of many others who have continued the fight for civil rights in America.

Harrison Board of Education Decision To Remain Open

This year, the Harrison Board of Education, for an unknown reason decided to not close the Harrison Public Schools for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a Federal Holiday, opting to stay open.  It is not clear why the Harrison Board of Education would decide not to honor Dr. King’s Federal holiday and indirectly the Presidential inauguration.  To compound the dubious decision, the Harrison Public School announced it would be closed on Tuesday, January 21^st because of forecasted cold weather.  So, it is ok to remain open on the Federal Holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which saw 4 inches of snow and cold temperatures but closed the following day for very cold weather.  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Federal holiday was more significant because of the historic inauguration of Donald Trump for his second term underscoring the intertwined paths of our national history and current events.

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