Martin Luther King Jr. Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. |
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King in 1964
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| Official name | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. |
| Also called | MLK Day, King Day, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Observed by | United States |
| Type | Federal |
| Date | Third Monday in January |
| 2024 date | January 15 |
| 2025 date | January 20 |
| 2026 date | January 19 |
| 2027 date | January 18 |
| Frequency | Annual |
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a special US holiday. It celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was a very important civil rights activist. This holiday is always on the third Monday in January. It is one of only four US federal holidays that honors a single person.
About Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time for people across the United States to remember Dr. King's work. He fought for equal rights for all people, no matter their skin color. He believed in peaceful protests and worked hard to end unfair treatment. His dream was for everyone to be treated with respect and kindness.
How the Holiday Started
It took many years for Martin Luther King Jr. Day to become a national holiday. President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to create this federal holiday. This bill was first suggested by Representative Katie Hall from Indiana.
The holiday was first celebrated on January 20, 1986. It is always observed on the third Monday of January. This date is close to Dr. King's actual birthday, which is January 15.
Images for kids
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Sign (1969) promoting a holiday on the anniversary of King's death
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A Martin Luther King Day march in Oregon
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MLK Day of Service logo
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President Barack Obama serving lunch at a Washington soup kitchen on MLK Jr. Day, 2010
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See also
In Spanish: Día de Martin Luther King Jr. para niños
