The dual celebrations of a second Trump inauguration and the civil rights leader’s birth raise profound questions about Black leadership and progress toward the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream.
Martin Luther King Jr. “called for the prioritization of people over profit and for more equitable distribution of wealth and resources.“
On the third Monday of every January, the US celebrates Martin Luther King Day, a federal holiday that pays tribute to the civil rights activist.
Less than two weeks after the stock market shuttered for former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, investors may be looking for another break on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, the annual day of remembrance for the civil rights leader happens to coincide with Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president.
MLK Day, celebrated by many, reflects the enduring impact of Martin Luther King Jr., as 93% of Americans honor his life and legacy.
It was first proposed four days after King's 1968 assassination outside a Memphis motel. It took 15 years until it became a federal holiday.
As the nation recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a traditional celebration will take place locally. The 2025 MLK Day Beloved Community Commemorative Service kicks off at 9 a.m. on Monday, and you can watch it live from home.
The City of Springfield will hold its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Flag Raising on Monday. The celebration will take place at noon inside of Springfield City Hall. Officer installations for the 2025 Greater Springfield NAAPC will also be recognized at the event. The flag raising is free and open to the public.
It's an easy decision, for me. Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors service, not self-gratification.
In Harlem, New York, while signing copies of his first book, “Stride Toward Freedom,” Izola Ware Curry stabbed King with a letter opener between his heart and lung. He was taken to Harlem Hospital where his physician, Dr. Aubré D. Maynard, said, “If you had sneezed, your aorta would have been punctured and you would have drowned in your own blood.”
National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., patrol the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on Jan. 18, 2021. The memorial was closed to the public through Jan. 21 due to security concerns surrounding the presidential inauguration scheduled for Jan.