Whether you voted for him or not, President Obama’s second inauguration bears incredible historical significance. Not only does 2013 mark the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement, the 57th inauguration falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and President Obama will acknowledge this milestone in American history by swearing in on MLK Jr.’s personal Bible.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s black, leather-bound King James Bible was his constant companion as he travelled the country fighting for freedom and equality. President Obama will lay his hand on King’s “traveling Bible” at his public swearing-in at the US Capitol on January 21, the holiday celebrating the birthday of the slain civil rights leader.
According to The Washington Post , MLK Jr.’s Bible will be stacked with another famous Bible: The one used by President Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration.
I don’t think I have to explain why every ingredient in the mix that is the 57th inauguration would put stars in the eyes of every history buff in the US, but even for a guy who didn’t vote for President Obama the first (or second) time, the event will be a pretty impressive cultural achievement.
And if that’s not enough, Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow of another famous civil rights figure named Medger Evers, will deliver the invocation at President Obama’s second inauguration.
According to Yahoo , Evers-Williams noted the historical significance of the 57th inauguration herself in a statement about her involvement.
“I am humbled to have been asked to deliver the invocation for the 57th inauguration of the President of the United States—especially in light of this historical time in America when we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement,” Evers-Williams said. “It is indeed an exhilarating experience to have the distinct honor of representing that era.”
Much better than we could have said it.