Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025
Monday, January 20, 2025
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025 was Monday, January 20, 2025
Check the dates below for upcoming celebrations.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Next 5 Years
| Year | Date | Day of Week | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 20, 2025 | Monday | Past |
| 2026 | January 19, 2026 | Monday | In 76 days |
| 2027 | January 18, 2027 | Monday | In 440 days |
| 2028 | January 17, 2028 | Monday | In 804 days |
| 2029 | January 15, 2029 | Monday | In 1168 days |
📚 History & Origin
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a federal holiday in 1983, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, and first observed in 1986. However, it wasn't until 2000 that all 50 states officially recognized the holiday. The holiday celebrates Dr. King's birthday (January 15, 1929) and his pivotal role in the American civil rights movement. Dr. King was a Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968.
🎊 Traditions & Celebrations
The day is celebrated with volunteer service projects, educational programs about civil rights history, speeches and readings of Dr. King's words (especially his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech), community marches and parades, and moments of reflection on equality and justice. Many Americans view it as a 'day on, not a day off' and participate in community service activities.
✨ Fun Facts
MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage Americans to volunteer
Dr. King was the youngest person at the time to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which he received in 1964 at age 35
The holiday is observed on the third Monday in January, close to Dr. King's actual birthday of January 15
Stevie Wonder played a major role in the campaign to establish MLK Day, releasing the song 'Happy Birthday' in 1980 to support the effort
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