Community Corner

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Sewickley: What's Open, What's Closed

Do you think the kids have the day off from school?

Monday, Jan. 21 is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

For some, the national holiday honoring the prominent civil rights activist is a time to give back and serve the community, perhaps through removing graffiti or picking up litter in a local park.

For others, it’s an opportunity to educate themselves about King and his life's work. And for others, it’s a time to just kick back and enjoy the prolonged weekend.

Find out what's happening in Sewickleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So, tell us—What does Martin Luther King Jr. Day mean to you? What are you doing to commemorate King’s legacy?

What's Open / Closed on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Find out what's happening in Sewickleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Quaker Valley schools will be in session Monday, even though federal, state and county offices are closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Sewickley borough offices will be open and council will meet at 7:30 p.m. for its regular meeting. 

Quaker Valley plans several programs and activities district wide on Monday. Find out what's planned.

Open

  • Quaker Valley schools
  • Sewickley Borough offices
  • Sewickey Valley YMCA is has recreational hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Babysitting will be closed and the warm water pool will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for family swim. All programs resume on Tuesday. Children under the age of 14 are asked to follow youth hours on holidays.
  • The Port Authority is running regular bus, T and incline weekday service, but the downtown service center is closed.

Closed

  • Sewickley Academy
  • St. James School
  • Sewickley Public Library
  • Federal, state, and Allegheny County offices and courts.
  • Pennsylvania driver license and photo centers are closed Saturday, Jan. 19, through Monday, Jan 21. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.state.pa.us
  • State liquor stores
  • Post offices (No mail delivery except for Express Mail)
  • Most banks
  • The Port Authority's downtown service center is closed, but the regular bus, T and incline weekday service is running. 

The Holiday's History

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, now a U.S. holiday, took 15 years to create.

Legislation was first proposed by Congressman John Conyers, D-Michigan, four days after King was assassinated in 1968.

The bill was stalled, but Conyers, along with Rep. Shirley Chisholm, D-New York, pushed for the holiday every legislative session until it was finally passed in 1983, following civil rights marches in Washington. 

Then-President Ronald Reagan signed it into law. Yet it was not until 2000 that every U.S. state celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by its name. Before then, states like Utah referred to the holiday more broadly as Human Rights Day. 

Now, the Corporation for National and Community Service has declared it an official U.S. Day of Service.

 

What does MLK Day mean to you? Tell us in the comments box below.

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