It's not just the day before the one of the most historic US inauguration's in history.
Way back in November 2008, just after election day, something struck me. I was watching Dave Stewart's "American Prayer (you can still watch it on youtube, but the audio has been disabled because it "contains an audio track that has not been authorized by all copyright holders." You can listen to it here - before they turn that off too.)
As it got to Martin Luther King's speech, I listened, and remembered
"And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!"
And then it dawned on me, "When is MLK day?"
The answer is of course, the same day it is every year, the 3rd Monday of January. This year it is January 19, 2009.
That fact sent a chill down my spine.
Of course our first African American President would have always been sworn in the day after MLK Day. Inauguration is always the third Tuesday of January, every four years.
Combined that with the fact that Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination August 28, forty five years to the day after Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, and chills may run up your spine too (or Chris Mathhew's leg)
Martin Luther King had a dream -> Obama accepts the Democratic nomination on the anniversary of that speech -> we honor and celebrate Dr. King the day before -> the first African American President takes office.
This should be one of the most celebrated and immediately meaningful Martin Luther King Day in many, many years.
I wonder what my sons' school is doing on this day, or if they are even aware of the special meaning of the next Monday and Tuesday.
UPDATED: OKay so this series is even more "cosmiclly special" then my first glance. I thought all inagurations were done on a Tuesday (because for the last 8 years I've NOT PAID ANY ATTENTION to them) .. but as dlh77489 pointed out it's always January 20 .. no matter what day it lands on (except Sunday) .. so that may throw an even bigger chill up your spine, up your leg, or where ever.
Thanks to crazyshirley2100 for grabbing this:
Thank you both
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. . . "And then I got into Memphis." He frowned. "And some began to say the threats--or talk about the threats--that were out, what would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers. Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now."
King paused. "Because I've been to the mountaintop," he declared in a trembling voice. Cheers and applause erupted. Some people jerked involuntarily to their feet, and others rose slowly like a choir. "And I don't mind," he said, trailing off beneath the second and third waves of response. "Like anybody I would like to live--a long life--longevity has its place." The whole building suddenly hushed, which let sounds of thunder and rain fall from the roof. "But I'm not concerned about that now," said King. "I just want to do God's will." There was a subdued call of "Yes!" in the crowd. "And he's allowed me to go up the mountain," King cried, building intensity. "And I've looked over. And I have s-e-e-e-e-e-n, the promised land." His voice searched a long peak over the word "seen," then hesitated and landed with quick relief on "the promised land," as though discovering a friend. He stared out over the microphones with brimming eyes and the trace of a smile. "And I may not get there with you," he shouted, "but I want you to know, tonight ["Yes!"] that we as a people will get to the promised land!" He stared again over the claps and cries, while the preachers closed toward him from behind. "So I'm happy tonight!" rushed King. "I'm not worried about anything! I'm not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!" He broke off the quotation and stumbled sideways into a hug from Abernathy. The preachers helped him to a chair, some crying, and tumult washed through the Mason Temple.
Time magazine