Jackson 5 return home to Gary, Indiana — Key to the City and Jackson 5 Boulevard

The Jackson 5 return to their hometown of Gary, Indiana for the first time since moving to California. They play two benefit concerts at Westside High School for Mayor Richard Hatcher’s re-election campaign, and receive the Key to the City.

From 25 to 31 January, Jackson Street — the street the brothers grew up on — is officially renamed “Jackson 5 Boulevard” in a proclamation by Mayor Hatcher. A ceremony is held outside their former home at 2300 Jackson Street, where a banner reads “Welcome Home Jackson Five — Keepers of the Dream”. A plaque is also dedicated in their name at Indiana University, stating that the Jackson 5 gave “Hope to the Young”, and they are presented by their Congressman with the flag that flew over the State Capitol. The whole event is filmed and would later be used in the ABC-TV special Goin’ Back to Indiana in September 1971.