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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Day is coming up this month, a federal holiday honoring the life and birthday of the influential civil rights leader. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming holiday, why we celebrate it and why it's more than just a long weekend. 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. 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. 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 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 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. This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, or MLK Day, will take place on Monday, January 20. This national day serves as a way to remember Dr. King’s life and legacy as a civil rights leader in the United States. Below, we’ll discuss Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his work in fighting for civil rights, and the history of MLK Day. Getty 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 Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on January 20, and the day is a holiday to celebrate and remember King's activism and achievements during the Civil Rights Movement. However, since the day is a Countdown to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Weekend 2025; Martin Luther King Jr’s Challenges and Problem-Solving; Martin Luther King Jrs Major Accomplishments; Post Office Services on Martin Luther King Day; The Impact of the ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech on Its Audience; The Purpose Behind Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will once again be celebrated and honored Monday in events around the nation. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025: What is the meaning of MLK Day? Each day, thousands of students pass by the tarnished bronze statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the East Mall, but few stop to appreciate the impact of his work. MLK fought for equal rights and paved the way for milestones such as the enrollment of the first group of Black undergraduates into the previously segregated UT in 1956. 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 Joe Biden is spending his final full day in office Sunday in South Carolina, a state that holds special meaning after his commanding win in the 2020 Democratic primary there set him up to achieve In this 2022 video, President Kavalhuna describes the meaning and brief history of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Related content. Learn about MLK Day from President Kavalhuna’s earlier writings about it. All of the President’s holiday writings and videos are here. Want to be a guest in one of the President’s Holiday Videos?
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