United States– Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is observed in the United States as a federal holiday each year on the third Monday in January in honor of his life and legacy. In 2026, that federal holiday—commonly known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day—falls on Monday, January 19. This date is set close to King’s actual birth date of January 15, 1929, but the law fixes the observance on a Monday to ensure a long weekend for workers and communities across the country.
The holiday was first signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 and first observed in 1986; it became widely recognized across all 50 states by 2000. It is intended to honor Dr. King’s leadership in the American civil rights movement and his advocacy for nonviolent social change.
In practice, Martin Luther King Jr. Day serves both as a day of remembrance and as a national day of service, encouraging Americans to volunteer in their communities in ways that reflect King’s commitment to social justice and equality.
In 2026, the holiday will be officially observed on January 19, marking a pause in regular federal operations: government offices, courts, banks and stock markets will be closed, and many schools and public institutions will observe the day with commemorative events.
Dr. King’s actual birthday — January 15 — will be remembered within this broader context of celebration and reflection, but the fixed Monday observance allows for more coordinated nationwide participation each year under the terms of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
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