Martin Luther King Day in the United States
Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.
What Do People Do?
Martin Luther King Day is a relatively new federal holiday and there are few long standing traditions. It is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background. Some educational establishments mark the day by teaching their pupils or students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. In recent years, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to give some of their time on this day as volunteers in citizen action groups.
Martin Luther King Day, also known as Martin Luther King’s birthday and Martin Luther King Jr Day, is combined with other days in different states. For example, it is combined with Civil Rights Day in Arizona and New Hampshire, while it is observed together with Human Rights Day in Idaho. It is also a day that is combined with Robert E. Lee’s birthday in some states. The day is known as Wyoming Equality Day in the state of Wyoming.
Public Life
Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday, but has slightly different names in some states. Non-essential Government departments are closed, as are many corporations. Some schools and colleges close but others stay open and teach their students about the life and work of Martin Luther King.
Small companies, such as grocery stores and restaurants tend to be open, although a growing number are choosing to close on this day. Some compensate by opening on Washington's Birthday instead. Recent federal legislation encourages Americans to give some of their time on Martin Luther King Day as volunteers in citizen action groups. Public transit systems may or may not operate on their regular schedule.
Background
Martin Luther King was an important civil rights activist. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States. His most famous address was the "I Have A Dream" speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968.
In 1968, shortly after Martin Luther King died, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. After the first bill was introduced, trade unions lead the campaign for the federal holiday. It was endorsed in 1976. Following support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his single "Happy Birthday" and a petition with six million signatures, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000. In 1990, the Wyoming legislature designated Martin Luther King Jr/Wyoming Equality Day as a legal holiday.
Martin Luther King Day Observances
Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday Type | Where It is Observed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mon | Jan 18 | 2010 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday | |
Mon | Jan 17 | 2011 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday | |
Mon | Jan 16 | 2012 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday | |
Mon | Jan 21 | 2013 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday | |
Mon | Jan 20 | 2014 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday | |
Mon | Jan 19 | 2015 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday | |
Mon | Jan 18 | 2016 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday | |
Mon | Jan 16 | 2017 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday | |
Mon | Jan 15 | 2018 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday | |
Mon | Jan 21 | 2019 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday | |
Mon | Jan 20 | 2020 | Martin Luther King Day | Federal Holiday |
Quick Facts
Martin Luther King Day marks the anniversary of the date of birth of the influential American civil right leader of the same name.Martin Luther King Day 2016
Monday, January 18, 2016Martin Luther King Day 2017
Monday, January 16, 2017Name in other languages
Name | Language |
---|---|
Martin Luther King Day | English |
Día de Martin Luther King | Spanish |
יום מרטין לותר קינג | Hebrew |
يوم مارتن لوثر كنج | Arabic |
마틴 루터 킹 주니어 탄생일 | Korean |
Martin Luther Kings dag | Norwegian |
Martin Luther King Day | German |
Related holidays
- Civil Rights Day – Monday, January 18, 2016
- Idaho Human Rights Day – Monday, January 18, 2016
- State Holiday – Monday, January 18, 2016, Tuesday, January 19, 2016, Friday, November 25, 2016
- Rosa Parks Day – Thursday, February 4, 2016
Other holidays in January 2017 in the United States
- Last Day of Chanukah – Sunday, January 1, 2017
- New Year's Day – Monday, January 2, 2017
- Epiphany – Friday, January 6, 2017
- Orthodox Christmas Day – Saturday, January 7, 2017
- Lee Jackson Day – Friday, January 13, 2017
- Orthodox New Year – Saturday, January 14, 2017
- Robert E Lee's Birthday – Monday, January 16, 2017
- Robert E Lee's Birthday – Thursday, January 19, 2017
- Inauguration Day – Friday, January 20, 2017
- Chinese New Year – Saturday, January 28, 2017
- Kansas Day – Sunday, January 29, 2017
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