Martin Luther King Jr. Day, often referred to as MLK Day, celebrates the birthday of civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King Jr. it is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of January each year and it falls on Jan.20 this year.
Martin Luther Kings Jr.'s actual birthday is Jan.15. The Monday observance is similar to other federal holidays governed by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
The holiday was first observed on January 20, 1986. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983 with an effective date three years later.
Monday, Jan.20 is also Inauguration Day. This occurs every four years on Jan.20. If that date is a Sunday, Inauguration Day is Jan.21.
On Monday, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States at the United States Capitol. Vice-president elect J.D. Vance will be sworn into office before Trump.
This will be the 60th U.S. presidential inauguration, and the second for Trump as U.S. president. This will mark the second and final non-consecutive term as U.S. president since Grover Cleveland in 1893.
Undeniably, both of these events are historic. They both are part of the bedrock of U.S. democracy. They should be viewed. Both individually and collectively, as both relevant and important to the history of the United States.
Certainly, there are many who do not view either or both of these Jan.20 events as significant or worthy of celebration this year. Each American citizen is entitled to their private, respective opinions.
However, the common good is not served by denigrating those with opposing opinions on the sacredness of MLK Day and Inauguration Day.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.