South San Francisco, CA   January 16, 2014

Martin Luther King day is a nationally recognized holiday on the 3rd Monday in January. Schools and federal, state, county and city offices will be closed in observance unless otherwise noted.  Transportation updates can be found at 511.org, CALTRAIN, BART will run a Saturday schedule and more information is attached at the bottom of this article.

San Mateo County will honor this day with celebrations and ceremonies starting at 8:30am at the San Mateo Downtown Train Station located at 385 First Avenue in San Mateo.  Ceremonies in San Mateo will include keynote speakers, breakfast, Teacher nominations and awards, and more.

At 10am the train will leave and head north to San Francisco where celebrations will continue. Train tickets can be bought at the time or clipper cards may be used.

More information can be found by contacting San Mateo County Martin

Luther King Jr. Day Celebration  (650) 377-8708    

[email protected] 

The train will stop at the Caltrain Station at 4th & Townsend where a parade will leave the station at 11am and walk to Yerba Buena Gardens. The 1.5 mile walk commemorates the marches from Selma to Montgomery Alabama.  The final destination will be at the Esplanade Stage at Yerba Buena Gardens where an interfaith ceremony will take place. The full day of celebrations will continue and more information can be found HERE

THE FREEDOM TRAIN

From CALTRAIN:The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley will once again charter Caltrain as its “Freedom Train” on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. This is the only official Freedom Train in the United States and will be celebrating its 29^th year in 2014.

The special chartered train will depart San Jose at 10 a.m. and express to San Francisco.

Freedom Train tickets are sold only by the association – Caltrain fare media isn’t valid.  Tickets are expected to sell out.  They cost $15 for adults and $10 for seniors (65 and older), persons with disabilities, children (0 to 18 years old), and students (proof of eligibility required).  Contact information: www.scvmlk.orghe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley will once again charter Caltrain as its “Freedom Train” on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. This is the only official Freedom Train in the United States and will be celebrating its 29^th year in 2014.

The special chartered train will depart San Jose at 10 a.m. and express to San Francisco.

Freedom Train tickets are sold only by the association – Caltrain fare media isn’t valid.  Tickets are expected to sell out.  They cost $15 for adults and $10 for seniors (65 and older), persons with disabilities, children (0 to 18 years old), and students (proof of eligibility required).  Contact information: www.scvmlk.org

MLK DAY BACKGROUND

Some interesting background information is offered by TimeandDate.com

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.

What do people do?

Martin Luther King Day is a relatively new federal holiday and there are few long standing traditions. It is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background. Some educational establishments mark the day by teaching their pupils or students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. In recent years, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to give some of their time on this day as volunteers in citizen action groups.

Martin Luther King Day, also known as Martin Luther King’s birthday and Martin Luther King Jr Day, is combined with other days in different states. For example, it is combined with Civil Rights Day in Arizona and New Hampshire, while it is observed together with Human Rights Day in Idaho. It is also a day that is combined with Robert E. Lee’s birthday in some states. The day is known as Wyoming Equality Day in the state of Wyoming.

Public life

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday, but has slightly different names in some states. Non-essential Government departments are closed, as are many corporations. Some schools and colleges close but others stay open and teach their students about the life and work of Martin Luther King.

Small companies, such as grocery stores and restaurants tend to be open, although a growing number are choosing to close on this day. Some compensate by opening on Washington’s Birthday instead. Recent federal legislation encourages Americans to give some of their time on Martin Luther King Day as volunteers in citizen action groups. Public transit systems may or may not operate on their regular schedule.

Background

Martin Luther King was an important civil rights activist. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States. His most famous address was the “I Have A Dream” speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968.

In 1968, shortly after Martin Luther King died, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. After the first bill was introduced, trade unions lead the campaign for the federal holiday. It was endorsed in 1976. Following support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his single “Happy Birthday” and a petition with six million signatures, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000. In 1990, the Wyoming legislature designated Martin Luther King Jr/Wyoming Equality Day as a legal holiday.

BART SCHEDULE