"Unity is now returning to America, and confidence and pride is soaring like never before in everything we do," Trump said.

The dual celebrations of a second Trump inauguration and the civil rights leader’s birth raise profound questions about Black leadership and progress toward the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream.

Today's local leaders expressed defiance toward Trump, while young speakers at the Columbus celebration spoke in hopeful tones about the future.

SPRINGFIELD — In the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., speakers called for action — not symbolic gestures — to bring economic justice, good schools and political fairness to everyone.

Though the holiday is young, this will only be the 25th year that all 50 states recognize it together. Here's what's open and closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

On January 20, 2025, Michelle Obama skipped Donald Trump's inauguration. Instead, she took to Instagram to honor MLK Day, and encouraged her followers to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "legacy of service."

“Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service always inspires me,” Obama wrote on Instagram. “This #MLKDay, I hope you’ll join me and @WhenWeAllVote in honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy by getting involved in your community.”