Martin Luther King Jr. is the only non-President whose birthday is a national holiday and the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. We offer resources to commemorate this national leader
In 1983, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday – January 15 – was recognized as a federal holiday. King is the only non-President whose birthday is a national holiday. By the year 2000, all 50 states had also made it a state government holiday. The day is generally celebrated on the third Monday of January. It is the only federal holiday that is designated as a national day of service.
See AmeriCorps: Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service for various ways to volunteer.
“Join us this MLK Day as we come together to build a Beloved Community through unity, service, and transformation. Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy by working toward a more just and equitable society, where everyone is valued and respected, regardless of their race, ability, religion, or background. By participating in service projects, we can bridge divides, heal wounds, and create lasting change that will benefit our communities for years to come.”
Here’s an infographic from the National Census Bureau that depicts just some of the changes that King helped to foster. The data shows differences from the year 1964, the year King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. through the year 2021.
To commemorate this day, we’ve compiled links of note related to Martin Luther King, Jr.
- 2024 King Holiday – from The King Center
- Leadership Lessons: Martin Luther King Jr
- 12 Powerful Photos of Martin Luther King Jr.
- The 15 Year Battle for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- 5 Things to Know: Surprising Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.5 Things to Know: Surprising Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.
- Quotes from 7 of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Most Notable Speeches
- 4 of Martin Luther King Jr.’s most memorable speeches
- Read Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in its entirety
- The National Parks Service maintains the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park at King’s birthplace in Atlanta Georgia. (The Birth Home is closing temporarily from November 27, 2023, through November 2025 to allow for rehabilitation work.)