How many days until MLK Day?
It is 134 days until Martin Luther King Jr. Day on 18 January 2027.
- Date
- Monday 18 January 2027
- Time left
- 134 days (~19 weeks)
That is 19 weeks or 134 sleeps.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the civil rights leader and falls on the third Monday of January every year. It lands near his January 15 birthday.
When is MLK Day?
MLK Day falls on the third Monday of January, chosen to sit close to Dr. King's birthday on January 15. Because it follows the Monday rule, its date ranges from January 15 to January 21.
It is a federal holiday, so federal offices, banks, and many schools and businesses close for the day.
Who the day honors
Martin Luther King Jr. was the leading figure of the American civil rights movement, known for advocating nonviolent resistance and for his 1963 'I Have a Dream' speech in Washington. He was assassinated in 1968.
After years of campaigning, the holiday was signed into law in 1983 and first observed in 1986. It was not marked in all fifty states until 2000, making it a relatively young federal holiday.
How MLK Day is marked
Unlike many holidays, MLK Day is often framed as 'a day on, not a day off.' It has been designated a national day of service, and many people volunteer in their communities.
Cities hold marches, church services, and speeches, and King's own words are read and studied in schools. It is one of the few federal holidays built around service to others.
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Frequently asked questions
- What day of the week is MLK Day?
- MLK Day is always a Monday, because it falls on the third Monday of January.
- Is MLK Day a federal holiday?
- Yes. It became a federal holiday in 1983 and was first observed in 1986.
- What is MLK Day?
- It honors Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights leader who championed nonviolent protest against racial injustice.
- Is MLK Day on his actual birthday?
- Not exactly. His birthday is January 15, but the holiday is set to the nearby third Monday of January.
- Why is MLK Day called a day of service?
- Congress designated it a national day of service in 1994, encouraging people to volunteer rather than simply take the day off.
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