Inauguration Day 2025 will be the date when the President of the United States is officially sworn in on January 20, 2025. The uniqueness of this year is that it falls exactly with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday celebrated all over the nation. Due to this reason, most of the schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed on this day. But again, closures will vary with local policy and state law.
Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Inauguration Day is one of the important days in American politics, since there is a change of power to a newly elected president in the person of Donald Trump. The swearing-in ceremony includes an inaugural address and a military parade among other events. In 2025, the day is doubly significant since it also commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader.
Federal holidays are usually followed by schools across the country by closing their doors to both students and staff. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was declared to be a public holiday; as such, January 20 will be honored as the same by most schools. The closure will not only include the K-12 level but will go further to colleges and universities.
Schools closed on Inauguration Day
While many schools will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s important to note that some districts may have different policies regarding the observance of this day. For example:
- Public schools: Most of the public school districts will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a part of their school calendar; most of the districts have given this day a designation of “Not in Attendance” days, where no students go to class.
- Colleges and universities: Colleges and universities also have a tendency to adhere to federal holiday schedules. Most colleges and universities are off on the 20th of January to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Local variations: Some school districts will still hold Martin Luther King Jr. Day with unique programs or activities in lieu of entirely closing, so parents and students will want to consult their respective school systems’ calendars that include exact dates and specifics regarding closing.
How other services will be affected
Learning institutions are not the only public services that will be affected, as a result of the Holiday:
- Public libraries: Most public libraries will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Mail services: USPS – the United States Postal Service – will not deliver mail on this day as this is one of the federal holidays.
- Banks and government offices: Most banks and government offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
What happens on Inauguration Day?
The events surrounding Inauguration Day are drenched in both tradition and ceremony:
- Swearing-In ceremony: At noon local time, the President-elect takes the oath of office.
- Inaugural address: Once sworn in, the new president delivers an inaugural address in which he spells out the vision he has for the nation.
- Parade and celebrations: A parade normally follows the ceremony, as the new administration is feted with various festivities all over Washington D.C.
- Public involvement: These activities are public; therefore, this turns the day of Inauguration into a big day for mass civic activity.
Read more: Is Inauguration Day a federal holiday? Will I get the day off on Monday, January 20?
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