On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the entire nation pauses in remembrance of a civil rights hero. At least, that’s the intention of the federal holiday that takes place on the third Monday of Since 1986, the third Monday of each January has been observed as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. While today it may seem obvious that such a groundbreaking leader and activist would have his legacy and achievements celebrated on the national level, the drawn-out process to approve this federal holiday is one that is less known. Martin Luther King Jr. was a social activist and Baptist minister who played a key role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. King sought 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. In New Hampshire: "Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Day". [30] In Virginia: it was known as Lee–Jackson–King Day, combining King's birthday with the established Lee–Jackson Day. [31] In 2000, Lee–Jackson Day was moved to the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a holiday in its own 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 it. 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. How the idea for MLK day began . The idea to establish a national holiday for the civil rights icon arose as the nation was plunged into grief. U.S. Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, one of the longest-serving members of Congress known for his liberal stance on civil rights, proposed legislation to recognize King four days after his assassination outside a motel in Memphis, Tennessee 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 In the United States, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is observed annually on the third Monday in January. The day commemorates the life and work of Dr. King, who was a Baptist minister and prominent leader in the American civil rights movement. 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 For the third time in U.S. history, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day will both be held collectively. The overlap is set for Monday when former president Donald Trump will return to The only national day of service, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first celebrated in 1986. The first time all 50 states recognized the holiday was in 2000. Had he lived, King would be turning 96 While MLK Day is always observed on the third Monday of January, it does not always fall on King’s actual birthday, January 15.This is due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, signed into law in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, which aimed to create long holiday weekends for federal employees. The legislation to recognize Martin Luther King Day was first introduced in 1968, four days after his assassination. Civil rights activists worked for 15 years for it to be established by the federal government and additional 17 years for it to be recognized by all 50 states. As the nation recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a traditional celebration will take place locally. The 2025 MLK Day Beloved Community Commemorative Service kicks off at 9 a.m. on Monday The MLK Day of Youth Service with Seeds of Caring will take place at the Ohio History Center from noon to 3 p.m. Monday. There will be activities for kids ages 2-12 to create cleaning kits Social Studies for Kids - Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. The History Learning Site - Martin Luther King; Spartacus Educational - Biography of Martin Luther King; Temple University Sites - American Icons - Martin Luther King Jr. and the Myth of John Henry by Suet Yuk (Rainie) Au Yeung; National Archives - Findings on MLK Assassination 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 When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The holiday takes place on the third Monday in January, and has done so since it was first observed.
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