Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

John martin

John martin

  • Move Martin Luther King Day to November

    obama mlk memorial

    The Obama family visits Dr. King's memorial (White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)


    In 1982, President Reagan signed the law that established a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Because Dr. King's birthday was in January, the authors of the bill thought it made sense for his holiday to be in January as well.

    Almost 25 years later, it's time to ask if they got this right. Because schools are closed on Martin Luther King Day, most children likely see his holiday as a break from the classroom rather

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