Did you know that if James Earl Ray hadn’t shot him in 1968, the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr (who presumably still holds the record for the most pre- and post-nominals ever) would have been 80 this year?
We, along with the rest of the US, celebrated his birthday on Monday. Martin Luther King, Jr Day is observed on the third Monday of January, which is near his real birthday of January 15th. Interestingly, although he was assassinated in 1968 it took until 1986 before this holiday was observed, and even then it was not recognised properly everywhere. Its only for the last 8 years that all 50 states have called it by its proper name. Even now, unlike other official holidays, this day is not a day off for all. Although its a Federal holiday (so schools are off) only about one third of the businesses give this day off to their employees.
As if a Federal holiday wasn’t enough, Tuesday was all taken up with the inauguration of 44th President of the United States. That’s Barack Obama, in case you hadn’t heard, or you’re a Texan Republican (actually, that’s pretty much the same thing) who can’t believe McCain didn’t get in.
Its not clear yet whether this day will be best remembered for the inauguration of the first African American President or for the fact that the actual swearing-in ceremony was bungled so badly that it had to be repeated the following day. This is only the third time this has had to be done - Chester A. Arthur (No 21, 1881-1885) and Calvin Coolidge (No 30, 1923-1929) were the other two.
US Presidents giving speeches and answering press questions brought back fond memories of Not The Nine O’Clock News and their sketch on this:
Had Starbucks been around in the early ‘80s when this show was originally airing, the quote “Harmony, Democracy, Freedom, Cup-cakes, Crumbly-Candy-Bars” may have been modified somewhat. Indeed Starbucks celebrated the inauguration in their own way, with special cardboard heat sleeves in red, white (well, cardboard colour) and blue with famous quotes from previous Presidential inaugurations.
There’s the one above, which is from JFK’s address in 1961 - “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country” and then there’s FDR’s from 1933 - “...The only thing we have to fear is feat itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance”.
The FDR quote “nothing to fear but fear itself” is best remembered (by me at least) as being part of the lyrics to “The Weapon” by Rush, from their 1982 album “Signals”.
I suppose there were many others but there’s only so many cups of coffee you can drink in one week...