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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 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 date: January 15 () 2025 date: January 20 () 2026 date: January 19 () 2027 date: January 18 () Frequency: Annual: First time: 1986; 39 years ago () Legislation making Martin Luther King, Jr., Day a federal holiday in the United States was passed in 1983, and the first nationwide observance took place in 1986. Legislation for the holiday had been introduced in Congress in 1968, but opponents blocked its passage. How did Martin Luther King Jr. Day come to be a federal holiday? On April 8, 1968, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., introduced legislation for a federal holiday, according to The King Center. Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday. On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, TN following a speech to city sanitation workers who were on strike. On April 8, 1968 John Conyers (D MI-1) introduced HR 16510, to make King’s birthday a “legal public holiday.” The bill was referred to the Committee on the Representative John Conyers introduced the first motion to make King’s birthday a federal holiday in 1968, just four days after King’s assassination in Memphis. It took another 11 years to the federal holiday to come up for a vote on the House of Representative’s floor in 1979. 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. Public Law 98–144 designated the third Monday in January as an annual federal holiday in King’s honor, and the first official celebration took place on 20 January 1986. King’s 1968 assassination prompted various efforts to pay homage to the slain civil rights leader. On Nov. 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday effective Jan. 20, 1986. As a result, Americans commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. 's birthday on the third Monday in January, but few are aware of the history of the long battle to convince Congress to establish this holiday. On August 23, 1994, President Clinton signed the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday and Service Act (108 Stat. 1565), expanding the mission of the holiday as a day of community service, interracial cooperation and youth anti-violence initiatives. On Monday, people nationwide will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but it wasn't until 1983 that it became a federal holiday. Born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, King 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 MLK Day 2024: How did Martin Luther King Jr. Day become a federal holiday? What to know For 15 years after Martin Luther King Jr.'s death activists rallied to make MLK Day a federal holiday. 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 the civil rights leader’s assassination. After a thirty-two year campaign, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day became a federal holiday. The campaign over that time involved repeated drafting of legislation as well as support from entertainers such as Stevie Wonder, politicians such as Ted Kennedy, and athletes from the National Football League. When did Martin Luther King Jr. Day become a federal holiday? Ceremonies commemorating King's birthday and legacy have been held since his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968 . 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 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 When did Martin Luther King Jr. Day become a holiday in Texas? Texas officially recognized MLK Day in 1991. Today, it remains the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, encouraging all Americans to volunteer and contribute to their communities. Why is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January? When did MLK Jr. Day become a holiday? Legislation to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day was initially introduced a mere four days after his April 4, 1968, assassination, according to the
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