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.
What Happens on Inauguration Day?
Inauguration Day is a time of transition and ceremony, marking the formal swearing-in of the US President. The event will see the attendance of senior leaders from both Democratic and Republican parties, former presidents, and foreign dignitaries, including Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Despite its significance, Inauguration Day is not considered a federal holiday. However, Martin Luther King Jr Day, which coincides with this year’s inauguration, is a federal holiday, leading to widespread closures of government offices, schools and non-essential postal services along with other offices in various sectors.
Are schools in the US closed on January 20?
Most schools across the United States will be closed on Monday, January 20, but this is primarily due to Martin Luther King Jr Day rather than the inauguration itself. The Illinois State Board of Education clarifies that Martin Luther King Jr Day isn’t a “legal school holiday,” but local school districts have the discretion to observe it as a “Not in Attendance” day. This means no students are engaged in learning activities as determined by the district.
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. Additionally, CPS will remain closed on Tuesday, January 21, designated as a “school improvement day” and a non-attendance day for students.
In Washington, DC, where the inauguration takes place, schools will also not hold classes on January 20, aligning with closures observed nationwide.
The Intersection of MLK Day and Inauguration Day
The coincidence of Martin Luther King Jr Day and Inauguration Day is rare; the last instance was in January 1997 during President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration. This overlap means that while the day is bustling in Washington, DC, with events and international attendees, most Americans will experience it as a day off due to the federal holiday.
Additional closures and disruptions:
Although Inauguration Day itself is not a federal holiday, many services will be closed due to Martin Luther King Jr Day:
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
While schools remain closed on January 20, many districts use the following day, January 21, for professional development or school improvement activities. For example, CPS’s calendar indicates that Tuesday is a designated day for staff activities without student attendance.
