When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Why do we observe it?

The federal holiday honors the life and civil rights work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was first observed nationally in 1986.

Traditions and celebrations

Many communities organize service projects and educational events.

Planning tips

Look for local volunteer opportunities and check school and government office schedules.

Is it a federal holiday?

Yes. It is one of the U.S. federal holidays, though schedules for private employers, schools and states can differ.

Is it a bank holiday? What’s open and closed

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday, so banks, the stock market, the post office and most government offices close, though school schedules vary more than on other federal holidays. Individual banks, school districts and employers can still make their own call, so confirm directly if a closure affects an important errand or appointment.

The history behind the day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the civil rights leader’s life and legacy. Congressman John Conyers first introduced a bill for the holiday just days after King’s assassination in 1968, but it took 15 years of advocacy, including a petition with six million signatures and a hit song by Stevie Wonder, before President Ronald Reagan signed it into law in 1983.

The holiday was first observed in 1986, but it took until 2000 for all 50 states to officially recognize it by that name; some Southern states had combined it with observances of Confederate figures for years before dropping that pairing entirely.

How it’s marked across the country

The federal government designated MLK Day as a national day of service in 1994, and it remains the only U.S. federal holiday observed this way. Many communities organize volunteer projects, school and workplace service events, marches, and readings of King’s speeches, particularly “I Have a Dream,” delivered at the March on Washington in 1963.

One thing you might not know

MLK Day is always observed on the third Monday of January, deliberately placed near King’s actual birthday of January 15.

A federal holiday and a national day of service

Congress established the federal holiday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; it was first observed federally in 1986. The holiday is also associated with community service, educational programs and events focused on civil rights.

Because it always falls on Monday, federal offices close for a three-day weekend. Schools, transit agencies and private workplaces may use different schedules or combine closure with service activities.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day planning checklist

• Before the date: Finish federal, postal or banking errands before the holiday weekend.
• Check locally: Check school and child-care calendars.
• For travel: Register early for community service projects that require advance signup.
• Final check: Confirm transit and event schedules before traveling.