Hurricane Irene has forced the postponement of Sunday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial’s dedication.

With the storm expected to hit Washington full force within hours of ceremonies, federal government officials decided it would be too dangerous for President Obama and tens of thousands on the national mall. A new date hasn’t been announced.

Ironically, workers set up 30,000 chairs by Tuesday when a 5.8 earthquake shook Washington. The nearby Washington Monument, National Cathedral and several other buildings sustained minor damage, but King’s memorial was unscathed.

The postponement was a smart move. There’s no sense forcing a great moment into a dangerous storm. It’s the 48th anniversary of King’s nearby “I Had a Dream” speech on the Lincoln Memorial steps, but who would want it marred by spectator deaths?