5 Things You Need to Know Today

5 Things You Need To Know Today: Martin Luther King Day Edition

Five things you probably don't know about Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Good morning, Winchester! Today, Monday, Jan. 21, is Martin Luther King Day. Here are five things you probably don't know about the nation's youngest holiday. 1. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed on Jan. 20, 1986. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. 2. Not every state was anxious to acknowledge the Federal holiday. In 1991, the New Hampshire legislature created "Civil Rights Day." In 1999, "Civil Rights Day" was officially changed to "Martin Luther King Day." South Carolina was the last state to recognize the day as a paid holiday for all state employees, when Gov. Jim Hodges signed a bill to make Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday an official state …

• Photos (1)

Is Your Business Open on Martin Luther King Day?

If you are a Winchester business owner, tell us what your hours of operation will be on Martin Luther King Day by posting a comment below.

Are you a Winchester business owner? Is your business going to be open or closed on Martin Luther King Day? If so, let us know what your hours of operation will be on the holiday by posting that information in a comment in the comments section below. We are compiling a list of Winchester businesses open on Martin Luther King Day and would like to add yours to the list.

• Photos (1)

Winchester Student Named Student Ambassador

Eighth grader, Daniel Neyman, will be one of 250 ambassadors that will volunteer and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. this Saturday.

The following was submitted by the governor's office. Over 250 eighth graders, representing the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns will meet this Saturday, Jan. 14 for a second annual day of service. These student “ambassadors” from across Massachusetts will meet to volunteer and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr as part of Project 351. Launched during Governor Deval Patrick’s inaugural in 2010, Project 351 is dedicated to celebrating youth leadership and inspiring the ethic of service. Governor Patrick will again host a Youth Town Meeting this year, before the young people fan out to service sites across Boston including, Cradles to Crayons, the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Dorchester Boys and Girls Club and the Dr. Martin …

• Photos (1)

Winchester Prepares for Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

The Winchester Multicultural Network and the Family Action Network will be holding their annual celebration.

The following was submitted by the Winchester Multicultural Network. The Winchester Multicultural Network together with the Family Action Network (FAN) will host their annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday on Monday, Jan. 16 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Metcalf Hall at the Winchester Unitarian Church. Enjoy craft activities, refreshments, and an art display by Winchester students starting at 3 pm. Concert begins at 4 pm. This important community event features musician Guy Mendilow, whose band was awarded Boston's Best World Music Act in the Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll 2011. A citizen of Israel, Great Britain and the United States, Mendilow continues to immerse himself in new cultures, seeking opportunities to learn …

• Photos (1)