MLK Day: What is it? Martin Luther King Jr. is honored on this federal holiday.

The federal government observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday in January by closing down.

The vibrant life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will once more take center stage this Monday. Across the nation, events will spring to life in his honor.

This Civil Rights icon, who fiercely championed the cause against segregation and racism through the power of nonviolence, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Uniquely, he stands as the sole non-president to be honored with a federal holiday. Every year, as MLK Day dawns, government offices close their doors, inviting citizens from coast to coast to roll up their sleeves and serve their communities.

Martin Luther King

Here’s the lowdown on MLK Day and the journey that led to its federal recognition.

When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

The federal government pauses the hustle and bustle on the third Monday every January to honor the exceptional life of Martin Luther King Jr. This year, that moment arrives on Jan. 20.

This holiday aligns closely with King’s birthday, celebrated on January 15, 1929. However, though 2024 marked an exception, most years find the holiday adrift from his actual birthday. Thanks to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, many federal holidays are now observed on Mondays.

MLK Day

MLK Day Links to Presidential Inauguration

Remarkably, this year, MLK Day coincides with the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump for a second term. Such timing is a rarity, having only occurred during Obama’s and Clinton’s inaugurations.

Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?

Dr. King burst onto the national scene during the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott in Alabama. He rose to become a shining beacon in the Civil Rights movement, founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957 and spearheading the 1963 March on Washington.

Known for his principles of civil disobedience and nonviolent protest, King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during that notable march, leaving an indelible mark on history.

What is the significance of MLK Day?

MLK Day serves as a national day of service, a call to all Americans to volunteer in their communities. Cities and towns across the nation will gather for ceremonies and service events this Monday.

MLK Day

At the heart of this celebration, the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, champions a variety of commemorative activities throughout the weekend. The NAACP will also host its annual King Day at the Dome event, featuring Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, as a headline speaker this year.

When was Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated?

Tragedy struck on April 4, 1968, when King was assassinated while standing on a balcony at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray confessed to the crime, receiving a 99-year prison sentence. The shockwaves from King’s assassination reverberated throughout America and remain a pivotal moment in U.S. history. At 39, King was poised to turn 96 this month.

How did Martin Luther King Jr. Day become a federal holiday?

The movement for a federal holiday in King’s honor ignited just four days post-assassination. Although the passion ignited by this loss fueled national support, legislation took years to gain traction.

MLK Day

Only after a relentless 15-year battle did civil rights activists see success in their pursuit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a recognized federal holiday. On November 2, 1983, President Reagan signed the bill designating the third Monday in January as a celebration of King’s wondrous legacy. Its first observance took place on January 20, 1986.

Are government offices closed on MLK Day?

Indeed, since MLK Day is a federal holiday, government offices will remain closed, granting federal workers a well-deserved paid day off. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

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