Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the third Monday of January each year, close to Dr. King's birthday on January 15. It honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Baptist minister and civil rights leader who led nonviolent campaigns against racial segregation and discrimination. It's also a national day of service, when millions of Americans volunteer in their communities. The holiday always falls between January 15 and January 21.
History of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. A gifted student, he became a minister and earned a doctorate from Boston University. In 1955, he helped lead the Montgomery bus boycott after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat. Over the next decade, he became a leader of the civil rights movement, organizing marches and protests based on nonviolent resistance.
In 1963, Dr. King delivered his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech at the March on Washington. In 1964, he received the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming one of its youngest recipients. The movement helped win passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.
Days after his death, Representative John Conyers introduced a bill to create a holiday in his honor. Coretta Scott King, his widow, and many supporters campaigned for years. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law on November 2, 1983, and it was first observed on January 20, 1986. In 1994, Congress designated it a national day of service. By 2000, all 50 states officially observed the holiday.
Why Martin Luther King Jr. Day Matters
Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors one of the most important leaders in American history and the many people who worked alongside him for civil rights.
It encourages Americans to reflect on the progress made toward equality and the work that remains.
As a day of service, it turns remembrance into action, with people volunteering at food banks, schools, shelters and community projects. It's often described as 'a day on, not a day off'.
How to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Volunteer: join a day-of-service project in your community.
- Learn his story: read about Dr. King's life and writings.
- Visit a historic site: tour the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta.
- Attend an event: join a parade, service or community celebration.
- Talk about justice: discuss civil rights history with family and friends.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, many organizations close for the holiday or organize volunteer projects; teams can also share learning resources about civil rights history. In classrooms, the days before the holiday are a time for students to learn about Dr. King, the civil rights movement and peaceful protest, and to write about their own dreams for the future. At home, families can volunteer together, read children's books about Dr. King, or visit a museum or memorial. Federal offices, banks and stock markets are closed on the holiday.
Fun Facts About Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929.
- The holiday was signed into law on November 2, 1983.
- It was first observed nationally on January 20, 1986.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day FAQs
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
It's observed on the third Monday of January each year, between January 15 and 21.
When was Martin Luther King Jr. born?
Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia.
When did MLK Day become a federal holiday?
President Reagan signed it into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986.
Is MLK Day a day of service?
Yes. Congress designated it a national day of service in 1994.
Are banks and schools closed on MLK Day?
Federal offices, banks and stock markets close, and many schools close as well.
When did all states observe MLK Day?
By 2000, all 50 states officially observed the holiday.