MLK Day is on the way

The day created to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. is approaching on Ja. 20

Landon Ward, Promotion's Editor • January 14, 2025

Events for the “Tough Minds and Tender Hearts” commemoration hosted by Black Citizens and Friends.

Students across District 51 will have Monday, Jan. 20, off of school for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

While many students are just excited for the break, MLK Day is a very important day for American and world history. It’s a day of remembrance for King, who was a very important figure in the civil rights movement.

“It celebrates us moving forward as a country and doing a better job at civil rights,” said GJHS teacher Mark Wilson.

Calls for a national holiday in honor of King began shortly after his assassination in 1968. Many cities and states established King’s Birthday, Jan. 15, as a holiday. However, it wasn’t until 1983 that Congress passed a bill marking the third Monday of January as a national holiday, the day we celebrate today.

There are many things to do in Grand Junction to celebrate King. These events include a trivia night on Jan. 17, a community meal and poster awards on January 18, a religious service on Jan. 19, and a commemorative march on Jan. 20. These events are part of the Tough Minds and Tender Hearts commemoration organized by Black Citizens and Friends of Mesa County.

Donate to The Orange and Black Newspaper

$50

$500

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Grand Junction High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributor

Landon Ward, Promotion's Editor

Landon Ward is a sophomore at GJHS, and is the promotions manager for the Orange and Black newspaper. He enjoys playing tennis and swimming. He joined the Orange and Black during the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year.