Major holidays · in 232 days
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027 is on Monday, January 18, 2027.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027 falls on Monday, January 18, 2027.
A US federal holiday honouring the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's marked by service projects and remembrance.
In 2026, it falls in ISO week 4. Need the full year's calendar? See all 2026 weeks, or browse every other date.
At a glance
The history of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Congressman John Conyers introduced legislation for a federal holiday just four days later, but the bill stalled for years. President Ronald Reagan signed it into law in 1983, and the first observance was held in 1986. Arizona and New Hampshire were the last states to formally adopt it; all 50 states recognised it by 2000. In 1994 Congress designated it a national day of service, the only federal holiday with that distinction.
How Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated
The day is observed with parades, memorial services and volunteer projects under the banner "a day on, not a day off". Schools and government offices close, and many cities host marches that retrace civil rights routes. King's "I Have a Dream" speech is widely read or replayed.
Did you know?
MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service.
Dr. King was the youngest person at the time to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 1964 at age 35.
The holiday was a hard-fought win; some states resisted until federal pressure forced adoption.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day in upcoming years
How the date is set
The third Monday in January, set to fall near King's birthday on January 15.
Sources & further reading
For more detail on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, see these references.
Related dates
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: questions and answers
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027 falls on Monday, January 18, 2027.
What day of the week is Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year?
In 2026, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a Monday, January 19.
How is the date of Martin Luther King Jr. Day determined?
The third Monday in January, set to fall near King's birthday on January 15.
Where is Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed in United States. Other countries may mark a similar day on a different date.