In 1983, Congress passed legislation creating a Monday holiday for the birthday of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1994, Congress designated his holiday as The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community."
While Dr. King preached about justice, empowerment, love and peace, in the final months of his life, his attention was turned to fighting poverty. Forty-seven million Americans currently fall below the poverty line. Dr. King was shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee and died on April 4, 1968. He had gone to Memphis to help lead sanitation workers in a protest against low wages and intolerable working conditions.
Today is also Inauguration Day for the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama's second term. He was sworn in Sunday just prior to noon by Chief Justice John Roberts in a private ceremony at the White House, according to the U.S. Constitution. This is the public swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol, followed by his Inaugural Address and the official Inaugural Parade. Washington D.C. has been prepared for hundreds of thousands of visitors to view the event.
The President's Inaugural Address will set out his vision for America and goals for the nation. The theme of this year's inauguration is "Faith in America's Future." The swearing-in ceremony starts at 11:30 a.m. and the parade starts at 2:30 p.m. running along Pennsylvania Avenue.
CELEBRATE OUR NATION'S HISTORY!
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