This is a question that my race class a gender teacher asked and i can't find it so if someone could please help me that would be great thank you very much
2006-09-29 04:15:44 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
Currently there are NO states that do not recognize MLK Jr as a federal holiday.
To much of your surprise, it was actually Utah that was last to recognize it has a federal holiday by name in 2000. It was in 1992 that Arizona re-enacted the holiday due to boycotts, and the loss of hosting the 1993 Super Bowl in 1991
Now, th1nking obviously wasnt when that comment was made (typical "southern bashing"), since most southern states were NOT the ones to renounce the holiday, but actually more northern states did at first. Actually most northern and western states that did adopt the holiday actually called it by another name (IE. Human Rights Day, Civil Right Day). Their reasoning was they said King did not deserve his own holiday, contending that the entire civil rights movement rather than one individual, however instrumental, should be honored. Now, what many southern states did do though is celebrate the Confederate leaders or Confederate holidays on that day too.
As for Ms. Chic. (I am not trying to correct everyone), but Ronald Reagan only enacted the law, the actual holiday was passed by Congress. And what had actually happened was Congress agreed to make it a "federal holiday" since it was currently recognized by many states on Jan 15th as a "state holiday". Congress by doing this also moved it to the third monday in the month of Jan. All Ronald Reagan did was approve this Congressional decision. Now in 2003, President GW Bush proclaimed that the holiday would now be observed on Jan 20th.
Hope that helps
2006-09-29 05:12:36 · answer #1 · answered by just me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All through the 1980's, controversy surrounded the idea of a Martin Luther King Day. Congressmen and citizens had petitioned the President to make January 15, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, a federal holiday. Others wanted to make the holiday on the day he died, while some people did not want to have any holiday at all.
January 15 had been observed as a public holiday for many years in 27 states and Washington, D.C. Finally, in 1986, President Ronald Reagan declared the third Monday in January a federal legal holiday commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday.
Schools, offices and federal agencies are closed for the holiday. On Monday there are quiet memorial services as well as elaborate ceremonies in honor of Dr. King. On the preceding Sunday, ministers of all religions give special sermons reminding everyone of Dr. King's lifelong work for peace. All weekend, popular radio stations play songs and speeches that tell the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Television channels broadcast special programs with filmed highlights of Dr. King's life and times.
2006-09-29 04:21:13 · answer #2 · answered by ms.chic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the southern states have from its inception, seeing as how that's where Dr. King had the greatest impact. AZ finally gave in a few years ago, and I think we were the last. Figures. Still don't do daylight savings, what a backwards messed up little desert.
2006-09-29 04:24:56 · answer #3 · answered by dbackbarb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Arizona does not recognize Martin Luther King Day as a holiday.
I am in Alaska and we do. Maybe if everyone would put what state they in and if they recognize the holiday or not, it will hellp you better.
2006-09-29 06:46:09 · answer #4 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not sure. I'll guess places like: Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, The Carolinas, Florida, you know, states like those.
2006-09-29 04:19:30 · answer #5 · answered by th1nking 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Arizona was one state that kicked up a fuss, but I don;t know if they relented
2006-09-29 04:16:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋