Martin Luther King Jr. Day honours one of the most important figures in American history. It falls on the third Monday of January — 19 January in 2026 — close to Dr. King's birthday. Here's the history of the man and the holiday.
See the MLK Day holiday page or the US holiday calendar.
Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born 15 January 1929) was a Baptist minister and the most prominent leader of the American civil rights movement. Through nonviolent protest, he campaigned against racial segregation and injustice.
He is best known for his "I Have a Dream" speech at the 1963 March on Washington, and he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was assassinated on 4 April 1968.
Why is MLK Day on the third Monday of January?
Dr. King was born on 15 January, so the holiday is set on the third Monday of January — placing it near his birthday while creating a consistent long weekend.
How MLK Day became a federal holiday
Establishing the holiday took years of campaigning. It was signed into law in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan and first observed on 20 January 1986. By 2000, all 50 US states observed it.
A "day on, not a day off"
MLK Day is officially a National Day of Service — Americans are encouraged to volunteer in their communities, summed up in the phrase "a day on, not a day off."
Quick answers
Why is MLK Day in January? It honours Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was born on 15 January 1929; the holiday is the third Monday of January.
When did MLK Day become a federal holiday? It was signed into law in 1983 and first observed in 1986.
What is MLK Day a day of service? Yes — it's a National Day of Service, encouraging volunteering: "a day on, not a day off."
When is MLK Day 2026? Monday, 19 January 2026 (the third Monday of January).