| MLK Day celebrations across SoFLa |
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| Thursday, 12 January 2012 11:32 | |||
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Just four days after Dr. King's assassination, his friend, Michigan Congressman John Conyers Jr. proposed legislation to commemorate Dr. King's birthday as a federal holiday. Conyers collected over four million signatures on petitions supporting the bill and, despite Congress' resistance, Conyers, later joined by the late Black Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm, re-entered the legislation each year. In 1973, Illinois became the first state to officially commemorate Dr. King's birthday as a state holiday, followed by Massachusetts and Connecticut. Eventually, as public pressure mounted, President Ronald Reagan signed the national holiday into law on November 3, 1983. MLK Day however was not enacted as a federal holiday until 1986. Only 27 states and the District of Colombia honored the holiday. In Arizona, then Governor Evan Mecham attempted to abolish the holiday, but backlash was so strong that in 1991, the NFL threatened to move the 1993 Super Bowl from Phoenix to Pasadena, California. By 1992 Arizona adapted the holiday. By 1993, all 50 states commemorated the holiday. Sources: www.infoplease.com; www.time.com Celebrate the great civil rights icon with a myriad of community events taking place here in South Florida. ............................. Friday January 13 – Saturday January 14 The 18th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Basketball Classic at Miami Norland High, at 1095 NW 195th Street, Miami, FL. Saturday, January 14 The 28th annual West Perrine National Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, starting at 10:00 a.m., at the Corner of Homestead Avenue and S.W. 184th Street. For info call (305) 773-4043 ................................. Saturday, January 14 "Battle of the Bands" featuring Bethune Cookman University's 'Marching Wildcats' and local high school bands beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Southridge Park/Stadium, 11250 SW 192nd Street Miami, FL. For info call 305.233.9325 ......................... The City of Lauderhill and The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force hosts a dinner and program at Diamante's, 6501 W. Commercial Blvd., featuring the accomplished Ed Gordon from BET. For more info call 954.730.3000. ................................. Monday, January 16 5000 Role Models annual Dr. Martin Luther King Breakfast at Parrot Jungle, 111 Parrot Jungle Lane starting at 8:30 a.m. For info call 305.995.2454 or visit www.5000rolemodels.com ......................... The MLK Festival Committee presents the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade at 10:00 a.m. at NW 54th Street & 12th Avenue, then westbound to NW 32nd Avenue. For info call 305. 305.2699 ................................
The City of Miami Gardens hosts "Unity in the Community: Oratorical, Talent and Art Contests" from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, 3000 N.W. 199th Street, Miami Gardens, FL. For more info visit www.miamigardens-fl.gov or call 305.622.8000 ext. 2482
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:08 |
On Monday, January 16,