A little reason to celebrate
Federal holiday · Commemorative · The third Monday in January
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday on the third Monday in January honoring the life and work of the civil rights leader.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, January 18, 2027. That is 83 days away.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the life of Martin Luther King Jr., the Baptist minister who became one of the best known leaders of the American civil rights movement. It is a federal holiday, observed on the third Monday in January, close to his birthday.
King is remembered for his commitment to nonviolence and for his speeches, which are still read aloud and studied in schools. His "I Have a Dream" speech, given at the March on Washington, is the one most people can quote a line from. He received the Nobel Peace Prize, and his letters and sermons remain widely read.
The day has a quieter, more reflective tone than many holidays. Federal offices, banks and many schools close. Communities hold breakfasts, church services, marches and readings. Many people mark it as a day of service, spending a few hours volunteering at food banks, shelters, parks or schools near where they live.
For families, it is often a day to read together. Libraries tend to set out picture books and biographies about King and the movement he helped lead, and some museums offer free programs. Listening to a recording of one of his speeches is different from reading it on a page. His voice, slow at first and then rising, carries a great deal of the meaning.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, January 19 |
| 2027 | Monday, January 18 |
| 2028 | Monday, January 17 |
| 2029 | Monday, January 15 |
| 2030 | Monday, January 21 |
All national days on January 18
Categories: Federal holidaysCommemorative days