Donald Trump Inauguration 2025: President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in on Monday, January 20, marking Inauguration Day for 2025. This significant event will include the swearing-in ceremony at 11 am CT in Washington, DC, alongside other formal and celebratory activities. However, for most Americans, the day is more notable for its overlap with Martin Luther King Jr Day, a federal holiday. This overlap raises questions about school closures and the broader impact on educational institutions across the country.
On opening moment, what happens?
Inauguration Day is a time of transition and service, marking the official swearing-in of the US President. The function will see the presence of top officials from both Democratic and Republican parties, previous presidents, and international officials, including Taiwanese Vice President Han Zheng and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Despite its significance, Inauguration Day is not considered a national vacation. But, Martin Luther King Jr Day, which coincides with this year’s opening, is a national holiday, leading to widespread shutdown of government agencies, colleges and non-essential postal service along with other agencies in different areas.
On January 20, will US universities be closed?
On Monday, January 20, the majority of colleges across the country will be closed, mainly as a result of Martin Luther King Jr. Day rather than the opening itself. Martin Luther King Jr. is not a “legal school holiday,” but according to the Illinois State Board of Education, local school districts may choose to see it as a” Not in Admission” day. This means that no kids are participating in district-determined learning activities.
For instance, Chicago Public Schools ( CPS) will be closed on January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day, as indicated on their 2024-25 calendar. Also, CPS will be closed on Tuesday, January 21, designated as a “school development evening” and a non-attendance time for students.
In Washington, DC, where the opening takes place, colleges will also not keep lessons on January 20, aligning with shutdown observed globally.
The Intersection of Inauguration Day and MLK Day
The last instance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day occurring on the same day as his birthday, January 1, 1997, occurred during President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration. Due to this overlap, most Americans will experience the day off due to the federal holiday, which means that while Washington, DC, is bustling with events and visitors from other countries, it will be busy.
Additional closures and disruptions:
Although Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not a federal holiday, many businesses will be closed as a result.
Federal and State Offices: Non-essential government offices and courts will be closed.
Postal Services: All United States Postal Service locations will be closed, with regular operations resuming on Tuesday, January 21.
Banks: Major banks, including Bank of America, Citibank, and Wells Fargo, will be closed in observance of MLK Day.
Delivery Services: UPS will not deliver packages, though certain services may vary depending on the region.
What to expect in schools post-holiday
Many districts use January 21 as the following day for professional development or school improvement projects even though schools are closed on January 20. For example, CPS’s calendar indicates that Tuesday is a designated day for staff activities without student attendance.
