Jan. 20 will be a day when two federal holidays coincide: Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day.
Inauguration Day rolls around every four years and is a federal holiday. A newly elected president is sworn in on Jan. 20, or Jan. 21 if the 20th falls on a Sunday.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day also is a federal holiday, which is celebrated on the third Monday of January.
How often do the two holidays happen on the same day?
What are 2025 federal holidays?
In 2025, there will be 12 instead of the usual 11 federal holidays, although two fall on the same day.
Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day both fall on Jan. 20 this year. Since 1965, federal employees in the Washington, D.C., area are entitled to a holiday on the day a president is inaugurated. President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office.
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Here are 2025 federal holidays:
- Jan. 1: New Year’s Day
- Jan. 20: Inauguration Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Feb. 17: Washington’s Birthday. Many state and local governments designate it as Presidents Day.
- May 26: Memorial Day
- June 19: Juneteenth
- July 4: Independence Day
- Sept. 1: Labor Day
- Oct. 13: Columbus Day
- Nov. 11: Veterans Day
- Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day
- Dec. 25: Christmas Day
How often does MLK Day and Inauguration Day happen on the same day?
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Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day occur on the same date more often than you may think.
Inauguration Day occurs every four years on Jan. 20 (or Jan. 21 if the 20th falls on a Sunday), according to USA.gov.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a federal holiday in 1983, and was first observed on Jan. 20, 1986.
It’s observed on the third Monday in January, which is around King’s actual birthday on Jan. 15.
Since MLK Day became a federal holiday, there have been nine presidential inaugurations. Eight of the occasions have been on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, according to HistoryinPieces.
- George Bush: Jan. 20, 1989
- William J. Clinton: Jan. 20, 1993, Jan. 20, 1997
- George W. Bush: Jan. 20, 2001, Jan. 20, 2005
- Barack Obama: Jan. 20, 2009, Jan. 21, 2013
- Donald J. Trump: Jan. 20, 2017
- Joe Biden: Jan. 20, 2021
Just like his first inauguration in 2017, Trump’s 2025 inauguration will fall on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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When does Trump take office and where will he be sworn is as president on Inauguration Day?
The inauguration ceremony takes place at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20, according to USA.gov.
The event usually takes place at noon.
JD Vance will be sworn in as vice president on Inauguration Day
The vice-president-elect, JD Vance, will be sworn in first and repeats the same oath of office as senators, representatives, and other federal employees.
The oath is: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”
Donald Trump to be sworn in as 47th president on Jan. 20, 2025
President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as America’s 47th president on Inauguration Day on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
The oath is: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
After taking the oath, the president gives an inaugural address.
Inaugural address trivia: Since George Washington in 1789, every president has delivered an Inaugural address, ranging from 8,445 words to 135, according to the JCCIC.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is responsible for planning and carrying out the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies.
How do you get tickets to the presidential inauguration?
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies makes a limited number of inauguration tickets available to the public through members of Congress, according to USA.gov.
Tickets are free and allow you to watch in person on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol as the president and vice president are sworn in.
➤ Find your senator and your member of the House of Representatives.
Where to see inauguration if you’re in Washington, D.C., and can’t get tickets
If you weren’t able to get tickets, you can watch the ceremony on large video screens on the National Mall, along with thousands of other spectators, according to Washington.org.
The president will later in the afternoon go on a ceremonial parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. The parade will begin at approximately 3 p.m. on Inauguration Day.
How to watch Inauguration Day 2025
Among the networks providing coverage are ABC, CNN, NBC, C-SPAN and PBS will provide coverage on Inauguration Day. Additional networks will finalize Inauguration Day coverage plans in the coming days.
Amazon will air the event on its Prime Video service, according to Reuters.
‘Peaceful transition’: Where will the Bidens be on Inauguration Day?
After Trump’s election victory in November, President Joe Biden congratulated Trump on his victory and committed to a smooth transition.
“I assured him that I direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition. That’s what the American people deserve,” Biden said.
Following the swearing-in ceremonies on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, the outgoing president and first lady leave the Capitol to begin their post-presidential lives, according to JCCIC.
Trump’s inauguration in 2017 watched by millions
An estimated 31 million people watched Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration in 2017, according to Nielsen.
While coverage varied by network, 12 networks aired live coverage.
Trump spending time at Palm Beach club, Mar-a-Lago
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Since his election victory in November, Trump has been spending most of his time at his private Florida club, Mar-a-Lago.
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During his first presidency, Donald Trump dubbed Mar-a-Lago the Southern White House or Winter White House due to the amount of time he spent there.
Mar-a-Lago consists of 17 acres. The private club has 500 members.
1. Inauguration Day:
– Inauguration Day is held every four years on January 20th, following a presidential election.
– This day marks the swearing-in of the newly elected President of the United States.
– The Presidential Inauguration ceremony typically includes a morning worship service, the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, the inaugural address by the President, a parade, and various inaugural balls and galas.
– Inauguration Day is a symbol of the peaceful transition of power in the United States and is a time for celebration and reflection on the country’s democratic values.
2. Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
– Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year, close to MLK’s birthday on January 15th.
– This day honors the civil rights leader and his contributions to the fight for racial equality and justice.
– Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday, meaning that federal government offices, schools, and some businesses are closed in observance.
– Many communities also hold events and activities to celebrate and reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, including parades, volunteer opportunities, and educational programs.
Both Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day hold significance in American history and culture. It is important to take the time to understand and appreciate the meaning behind these federal holidays and their impact on our society.
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