Martin Luther King Jr. Day Is the Third Monday in January. Here’s What You Need to Know

Celebrated on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, often abbreviated as MLK Day, is a federal holiday that commemorates civil rights leader and activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

It was established as a federal holiday in the United States in 1983 after advocates emphasized the importance of King's legacy and teachings. Several activists noted that many Americans had little understanding of how our daily actions may contribute to perpetuating systemic racism.

When Was MLK Day Established?

According to the Smithsonian Institute, legislation to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day was introduced a few days after his April 4, 1968 assassination but wasn't approved until Nov. 2, 1983, 15 years after advocacy for the day, when President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday bill into law.

Do All States Celebrate MLK Day?

The holiday became recognized in all 50 states in the early 2000s.

While all the states in the country commemorate it, at least 10 (all in the American South) celebrate it, and at least one confederate holiday. According to Axios, Alabama and Mississippi celebrate MLK, Jr. and Robert E. Lee, the losing Confederate general and slaveholder, on the same day.

Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas all have at least one day commemorating the Confederacy on other days of the year.

How Do People Observe MLK Day?

The observance of MLK Day provides an opportunity to educate, reflect, and demand social justice in realistic and tangible ways.

People observe MLK Day by engaging in acts of service, educating others about the civil rights movement, or learning more about themselves.

It "encourages all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities," adds Hamilton. The day of service uplifts people to address social problems, bridge barriers, and move closer to Dr. King's vision,” said Freeman A. Hrabowski III an author, advocate, and former president of the University of Maryland.

Hrabowski III was 12 years old when King came to his Alabama hometown to teach children like him how to peacefully protest for civil rights.

Why Is MLK Day Celebrated in January?

The holiday is celebrated in January because of King's on Jan. 15.

Although a federal holiday, it's seen as "a day on, not a day off," said Sarah Hamilton, a social impact consultant. 

According to the United States Department of the Interior, it's the only federal holiday Congress designated as a national day of service.

What Are Some Popular Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes?

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

"Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. Indeed, it is a weapon unique in history, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it."

"We are not makers of history. We are made by history."

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."

"A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true."