In 1983, about 20 years after King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, legislation for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday of January cleared Congress and President Ronald Reagan signed When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day? The federal government shuts down on the third Monday of every January for the day to honor Martin Luther King Jr.. This year, that day is Jan. 20. The holiday A ‘day on, not a day off’ Martin Luther King Jr. Day’s reach has only grown in its 42 years. It’s the only federal holiday where you take a “day on, not a day off.” In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed into law Congressman John Lewis and Sen. Harris Wofford’s legislation making it a National Day of Service. Observed each year on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is a federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and improve their communities. This is an accepted version of this page This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 17 January 2025. There is 1 pending revision awaiting review. U.S. holiday, 3rd Monday of January Martin Luther King Jr. Day King in 1965 Official name Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Also called MLK Day, King Day, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Type Federal Date Third Monday in January 2024 On August 23, 1994, President Clinton signed the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday and Service Act (108 Stat. 1565) (PDF, 640KB), expanding the mission of the holiday as a day of community service, interracial cooperation and youth anti-violence initiatives. In 1983, Congress made the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. a federal holiday. In 1994, Congress added the national day of service. Learn more at MLKDay.gov. In 1983, Congress made the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. a federal holiday. In 1994, Congress added the national day of service. Learn more at MLKDay.gov. Every third Monday of January, the United States observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday to honor the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1994 Congress passed a With his commitment to service in mind, the federal holiday that was established in 1983 was transformed a decade later to be a holiday and a National Day of Service. Every year on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King’s National Day of Service is designated as “a day on, not a day off”. Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service The Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday is an official day of service and celebrates the civil rights leader’s life and legacy. Submitted by eschneider on Tue, 04/11/2023 - 13:26 About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a vital figure of the modern era. His lectures and dialogues stirred the concern and sparked the conscience of a generation. The movements and marches he led brought significant changes in the fabric of American life. Dr. King gave direction to 13 years of civil rights activities. On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill into law, designating the third Monday in January a federal holiday in observance of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The legislation to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first introduced just four days after his assassination on April 4, 1968. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, it took more than a decade for Martin Luther King Jr. Day to become a federal holiday.President Ronald Regan signed the bill designating it a federal holiday in 1983 — it is also the only federal holiday considered a national day of service. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During his "I Have a Dream" Speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial, August 28, 1963. This year, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (MLK Day) falls on January 15. 2024 will mark the 29th celebration of the annual service event since Congress designated the MLK holiday the first ever National Day of Service. MLK Day holds a special signific Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage people to volunteer in their local communities. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived his life serving others. Following his example, millions of Americans serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. At our children’s schools, at a local shelter, or lending a hand to help our neighbors – we bring to life his vision of neighbors working together to build a better future. For 30 years, AmeriCorps has led the MLK Day of Service, bringing Americans together to build bridges and heal divides across the nation. In 1994, Congress tasked AmeriCorps with leading Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service, to encourage all Americans to volunteer to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and improve their communities Our Days of Service, which include the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Cesar Chavez Day of Service, and September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, help make Colorado what it is - a community of people dedicated to improving the lives of others. Days of Service are marked with both service activities and a reflection component. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Project Ideas. Thursday, Oct. 31. Watch the recording; Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Project Ideas from Federal Agencies. Thursday, Nov. 7. Watch the recording; Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Storytelling Resources. Thursday, Nov. 14, 3 p.m. ET. Register on Zoom; Webinar ID 160 660 6920
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