Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The following businesses are closed:
The Holiday's History
Patch editor Rachel Stern shares some history on the holiday:
"Martin Luther King Jr. Day, now a U.S. holiday, took 15 years to create.
Legislation was first proposed by Congressman John Conyers (D-Michigan) four days after King was assassinated in 1968.
The bill was stalled, but Conyers, along with Rep. Shirley Chisholm (D-New York), pushed for the holiday every legislative session until it was finally passed in 1983, following civil rights marches in Washington.
Then-president Ronald Reagan signed it into law. Yet it was not until 2000 that every U.S. state celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by its name. Before then, states like Utah referred to the holiday more broadly as Human Rights Day.
Now, the Corporation for National and Community Service has declared it an official U.S. Day of Service."
If you have the day off and are looking forward to further honor Dr. King's memory, take advantage of the free admission to the Yale Peabody Museum until 4:30 p.m. today. The Citizens Bank Foundation is underwriting the day which will feature music and dance performances, educational activities and an invitational poetry slam drawing poets from around the country.
Do you know of any local businesses that are closed during the holiday? Tell us in the comments!
