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 in his honor is timed to honor King's Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., [1] and often referred to shorthand as MLK Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday of January each year. This year, the Inauguration Day holiday falls on Monday, January 21, 2013, which is also the legal public holiday for the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (See 5 U.S.C. 6103(c).) How did Martin Luther King Jr. Day become a holiday? Former U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., introduced legislation to create a federal holiday honoring King on April 8, 1968, just four days after Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is a holiday in the United States honouring the achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister and civil rights leader who advocated for nonviolent resistance against racial segregation. Despite the national fervor inspired by his death, it took 15 years of persistence by civil rights activists for a holiday created in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to be approved by the federal government and an additional 17 years for it to be recognized in all 50 states. 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. Today, we reflect on the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and recommit to honoring his moral vision on the path to redeeming the soul of our Nation. Dr. Martin Luther Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States. Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2024 A Proclamation Today, we reflect on the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and recommit to honoring his moral vision on the path to redeeming the soul of our Nation. For Federal employees who work in the District of Columbia, Montgomery or Prince George's Counties in Maryland, Arlington or Fairfax Counties in Virginia, or the cities of Alexandria or Fairfax in Virginia, Inauguration Day is observed concurrently with the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday. Federal employees in these areas are not entitled to Martin Luther King Jr. Day is approaching quickly – Monday, Jan. 15 — and this year, the federal holiday falls on the actual birthday of the celebrated civil rights leader who was assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is celebrated each year in January to honor and remember the Civil Rights leader. His work has inspired millions, even decades after his death. While the Civil Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which always takes place on the third Monday in January, occurs on Monday, Jan. 20. The holiday honors the life and birthday of the influential civil rights leader. How did Martin Luther King Jr. Day become a holiday? Former U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., introduced legislation to create a federal holiday honoring King on April 8, 1968, just four days after 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. The establishment of a national holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., marked the culmination of a long campaign that began soon after King’s assassination and ended on 2 November 1983, with the signing of legislation by President Ronald Reagan. Public Law 98–144 designated the third Monday in January as an annual federal holiday in King With the upcoming holiday and three-day weekend, you might be wondering how Martin Luther King Jr. Day will impact day-to-day services and whether businesses will close for the day. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which always takes place on the third Monday in January, occurs on Monday, Jan. 20. The The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well the timeless values he taught us through his example — the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King’s character and empowered his leadership. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and is remembered each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a U.S. federal holiday since 1986. When Was Martin Luther King Born?
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