When is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrated?

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January each year. This date was established to honor the civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., and his contributions to the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent activism. The observance was signed into law as a federal holiday in 1983, and it was first observed as a national holiday on January 20, 1986.

The choice of the third Monday in January allows the holiday to fall close to King's birthday, which is on January 15. It is an important day for reflection and community service, aligning with King's legacy of social justice and equality.