Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States Home Calendar Holidays the United States Martin Luther King Jr. Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr statue "The Stone Of Hope" memorial by master sculptor Lei Yixin was opened to the public in West Potomac Park, Washington DC, on August 22, 2011. ©iStockphoto.com/Camrocker What Do People Do? Martin Luther King Day is a relatively new federal holiday and there are few long standing traditions. It is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background. Some educational establishments mark the day by teaching their pupils or students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. In recent years, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to give some of their time on this day as volunteers in citizen action groups.

Martin Luther King Day, also known as Martin Luther King’s birthday and Martin Luther King Jr Day, is combined with other days in different states. For example, it is combined with Civil Rights Day in Arizona and New Hampshire, while it is observed together with Human Rights Day in Idaho. It is also a day that is combined with Robert E. Lee’s birthday in some states. The day is known as Wyoming Equality Day in the state of Wyoming. Public Life Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday, but has slightly different names in some states. Non-essential Government departments are closed, as are many corporations. Some schools and colleges close but others stay open and teach their students about the life and work of Martin Luther King. Small companies, such as grocery stores and restaurants tend to be open, although a growing number are choosing to close on this day. Some compensate by opening on Washington's Birthday instead. Recent federal legislation encourages Americans to give some of their time on Martin Luther King Day as volunteers in citizen action groups. Public transit systems may or may not operate on their regular schedule. Background Martin Luther King was an important civil rights activist. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States.

His most famous address was the "I Have A Dream" speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968. In 1968, shortly after Martin Luther King died, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. After the first bill was introduced, trade unions lead the campaign for the federal holiday. It was endorsed in 1976. Following support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his single "Happy Birthday" and a petition with six million signatures, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000. In 1990, the Wyoming legislature designated Martin Luther King Jr/Wyoming Equality Day as a legal holiday. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observances Select another year-range: Federal Holidays Federal Holidays Snow & Dismissal Procedures Federal Holidays Overview Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the public holidays listed in these pages for Federal employees.

Please note that most Federal employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. For these employees, when a holiday falls on a nonworkday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday). To see holidays for a specific year, please select the tab labeled with your year of interest. 2020 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, February 17* Friday, December 25 Christmas Day *This holiday is designated as "Washington’s Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law. **July 4, 2020 (the legal public holiday for Independence Day), falls on a Saturday. For most Federal employees, Friday, July 3, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See 5 U.S.C. 6103(b).) 2019 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, February 18* Wednesday, December 25 Christmas Day *This holiday is designated as "Washington’s Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law. 2018 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, February 19* Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day *This holiday is designated as "Washington’s Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law. **November 11, 2018 (the legal public holiday for Veterans Day), falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, November 12, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes.

(See section 3(a) of Executive order 11582, February 11, 1971.) 2017 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, February 20** Monday, December 25 Christmas Day *January 1, 2017 (the legal public holiday for New Year’s Day), falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, January 2, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See section 3(a) of Executive order 11582, February 11, 1971.) Note: Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017, falls on a Friday. An employee who works in the District of Columbia, Montgomery or Prince George's Counties in Maryland, Arlington or Fairfax Counties in Virginia, or the cities of Alexandria or Fairfax in Virginia, and who is regularly scheduled to perform nonovertime work on Inauguration Day, is entitled to a holiday. (See 5 U.S.C.

6103(c).) There is no in-lieu-of holiday for employees who are not regularly scheduled to work on Inauguration Day./p> ** This holiday is designated as "Washington’s Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law. *** November 11, 2017 (the legal public holiday for Veterans Day), falls on a Saturday. For most Federal employees, Friday, November 10, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See 5 U.S.C. 6103(b).) 2016 Monday, December 26** Christmas Day *This holiday is designated as "Washington’s Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees.

Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law. ** December 25, 2016 (the legal public holiday for Christmas Day), falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, December 26, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See section 3(a) of Executive order 11582, February 11, 1971.) 2015 Friday, December 25 Christmas Day *This holiday is designated as "Washington’s Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law. ** July 4, 2015 (the legal public holiday for Independence Day), falls on a Saturday. For most Federal employees, Friday, July 3, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See 5 U.S.C.

6103(b).) 2014 Christmas Day Note: This year, the Inauguration Day holiday falls on Monday, January 21, 2013, which is also the legal public holiday for the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (See 5 U.S.C. 6103(c).) For Federal employees who work in the District of Columbia, Montgomery or Prince George's Counties in Maryland, Arlington or Fairfax Counties in Virginia, or the cities of Alexandria or Fairfax in Virginia, Inauguration Day is observed concurrently with the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday. Federal employees in these areas are not entitled to an in-lieu-of holiday for Inauguration Day. * This holiday is designated as "Washington’s Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.

2012 Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day * January 1, 2012 (the legal public holiday for New Year's Day), falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, January 2, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See section 3(a) of Executive order 11582, February 11, 1971.) ** This holiday is designated as "Washington's Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law. *** November 11, 2012 (the legal public holiday for Veterans Day), falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, November 12, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes.

(See section 3(a) of Executive order 11582, February 11, 1971.) 2011 Making of The King Holiday | The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change Making of The King Holiday A Chronology April 8, 1968 – Four days after Dr. King is assassinated, Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) introduces first legislation providing for a Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday. June 26, 1968 – The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Center is founded in Atlanta. The mission is to establish a living memorial to Dr. King, to preserve his papers and promote his teachings. Shortly after, King Center Founder Coretta Scott King, directs the small staff to being planning for the first annual observance of Dr. King’s birthday. January 15, 1969 – The King Center sponsors the first annual observance of Dr. King’s birthday with an ecumenical service and other events and calls for nation-wide commemorations of Dr. King’s birthday.

This observance becomes the model for subsequent annual commemorations of Dr. King’s birthday nation-wide, setting the tone of celebration of Dr. King’s life, education in his teachings and nonviolent action to carry forward his unfinished work. April, 1971 – Petitions gathered by SCLC bearing 3 million signatures in support of King Holiday are presented to Congress. But Congress takes no action to move holiday legislation forward. 1973 – First state King Holiday bill (sponsored by then Assemblyman Harold Washington) signed into law in Illinois. 1974 – Massachusetts, Connecticut enact statewide King Holidays. 1975 – New Jersey State Supreme Court rules that state must provide a paid holiday in honor of Dr. King in accordance with the state government’s labor contract with the New Jersey State Employees Association. November 4, 1978 – National Council of Churches calls on Congress to pass King Holiday. February 19, 1979 – Coretta Scott King testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings in behalf of the King Holiday. She urges Rep. Conyers to bring the holiday bill up for a floor vote in the House of Representatives. March 27, 1979 – Mrs.

King testifies before Joint Hearings of Congress in support of King Holiday bill. 1979 – Mrs. King directs King Center staff to begin intensive organizing of a nation-wide citizens lobby for a national Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. King Center launches new nationwide King Holiday petition campaign, which is signed by more than 300,000 before end of year. President Carter calls on Congress to pass national King Holiday. The King Holiday bill finally begins to move through Congressional committees. November, 1979 – The Conyers King Holiday bill is defeated in floor vote in U.S. House of Representatives by just 5 votes. 1980 –Stevie Wonder releases “Happy Birthday,” a song celebrating Dr. King and urging a holiday in his honor. It becomes a hit and a rallying cry for the holiday. May 2, 1980 – Coretta Scott King testifies in U.S. House of Representative in support of establishing a National Historic Site in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. September 11, 1980 – Mrs. King testifies in U.S. Senate in support of establishing a National Historic Site in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

1981 – King Center President Coretta Scott King writes to governors, mayors, chairpersons of city council across the U.S., requesting them to pass resolutions and proclamations commemorating the Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and send them to The King Center’s Archives. She asks them to recognize celebrations and programs of observance. February 23, 1982 – Mrs. King testifies in support of the Holiday before the Subcommittee on Census and Population of the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. 1982 – The King Center calls for and mobilizes a conference to commemorate and serve as cosponsors of the 19th anniversary of the March on Washington. More than 100 organizations participated. King Center mobilizes coalition to lobby for the holiday. Stevie Wonder funds holiday lobbying office and staff based in Washington, D.C. 1982 – Mrs. King and Stevie Wonder present King Center petitions bearing more than 6 million signatures in support of King Holiday to Tip O’Neil, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. June, 1983 – Mrs. King testifies before Congress in behalf of The King Holiday bill again.

August, 1983 – The House of Representatives passes King Holiday Bill, providing for the King Holiday to be observed on the third Monday in January. The bill, which is sponsored by Reps. Katie Hall (D.-IN) and Jack Kemp (R-NY), passes by a vote of 338 to 90. August 27, 1983 – King Center convenes the “20th Anniversary March on Washington,” supported by more than 750 organizations. More than 500,000 people attend the March at the Lincoln Memorial, and all of the speakers call on the U.S. Senate and President Reagan to pass the King Holiday. October 19, 1983 – Holiday Bill sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy (D.-Mass.) passes U.S. Senate by a vote of 78-22. November 3, 1983 – President Reagan signs bill establishing the 3rd Monday of every January as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday, beginning in 1986. April-May, 1984 – King Center develops legislative proposal to establish the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission.

Mrs. King meets with leadership of the House and Senate and appeals to Congress to legislate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. The legislation passes Congress by a voice vote. August 27, 1984 – President Reagan signs legislation providing for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission, to last for a term of five years, with an option to renew for another 5 years. November, 1984 – First meeting of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. Coretta Scott King is unanimously elected Chairperson January 20, 1986 – First national King Holiday Observed. By this time 17 states had official King holidays. The King Holiday Commissioners are sworn in by federal district Judge Horace Ward. January 16, 1989 – As a result of leadership of the King Holiday Commission, the number of states which enacted a MLK holiday grows to 44. 1990 – The United Auto Workers negotiate contracts with the big three auto companies requiring a paid holiday for all their employees. January 15, 1990 – The Wall St.

Journal Reports that only 18 % of 317 corporate employers surveyed by the Bureau of National Affairs provide a paid King Holiday. November 3, 1992 – After a coalition of citizens for an Arizona King Holiday launches successful protest and boycott campaigns, the people of Arizona pass referendum establishing Martin Luther King, Jr. state holiday. January , 1993 – Arizona observes first statewide King holiday, leaving only New Hampshire without a state holiday in honor of Dr. King. 1994 – Citing Dr. King’s statement that “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve,” Coretta Scott King testifies before congress in support of making the King Holiday an official national day of humanitarian service. August 23, 1994 – President Clinton signs the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday and Service Act, expanding the mission of the holiday as a day of community service, interracial cooperation and youth anti-violence initiatives. 1996 – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Federal Holiday Commission concludes mission, transfers responsibility for coordinating nationwide holiday programs and activities to The King Center 1998 – A Bureau of National Affairs survey of 458 employers found that 26 percent provide a paid holiday for their workers on the King Holiday. The survey found that 33 percent of firms with union contracts provided the paid King Holiday, compared to 22 percent of nonunion shops. June 7, 1999 – Governor Jean Shaheen of New Hampshire signs the King Holiday legislation into law, completing enactment of holiday in all states. October 29, 1999 – U.S. Senate unanimously passes legislation requiring federal institutions to fly the U.S. flag on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. August 2000 – The King Center’s National Holiday Advisory Committee (replacing the Federal King Holiday Commission) is established to promote the Holiday throughout the 50 states. Each governor of the 50 states is asked to appoint two state representatives to coordinate celebration in their state. Today – The King holiday is celebrated in U.S. installations and is observed by local groups in more than 100 other nations.

Trinidad and other nations have also established a holiday in honor of Dr. King. The King Holiday should highlight remembrance and celebration and should encourage people everywhere to reflect on the principles of nonviolent social change and racial equality as espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr. It should be a day of community and humanitarian service, and interracial cooperation. The King Holiday should be a day of which the majority of local and state governments close, and one on which private organizations and the majority of businesses honor Dr. King by encouraging their employees to undertake community service work to address social needs. The King Holiday should officially and appropriately be observed by the United Nations and its members. Mrs. Coretta Scott King, who severed as Chair, Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday Commission and Founding President of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Nonviolent Social Change, is quoted as saying: “As a nation chooses its heroes and heroines, a nation interprets its history and shapes its destiny. The commemoration of the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. can help America realize its true destiny as the global model for democracy, economic and social justice, and as the first nonviolent society in human history.” Location Learn About Life in the U.S.

| USA.gov American Holidays Federal Holidays Many government offices close on federal holidays and some private businesses may close as well. If the holiday falls during the weekend, the government may observe it on a different day. Federal employees receive pay and many receive time off for federal holidays . 2017 Federal Holidays Monday, January 2: New Year’s Day* Monday, January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, February 20: Washington’s Birthday Monday, May 29: Memorial Day Tuesday, July 4: Independence Day Monday, September 4: Labor Day Monday, October 9: Columbus Day Friday, November 10: Veterans Day** Thursday, November 23: Thanksgiving Day Monday, December 25: Christmas Day *January 1, 2017 (the legal public holiday for New Year's Day), falls on a Sunday. Most federal offices will be closed on Monday, January 2, 2017, in observance of New Year's Day. **November 11, 2017 (the legal public holiday for Veterans Day), falls on a Saturday.

Most federal offices will be closed on Friday, November 10, 2017, in observance of Veterans Day. On Inauguration Day, Friday, January 20, 2017, many federal offices in the Washington, DC, area will be closed. Commonly Celebrated Holidays and Observances Some holidays honor specific groups and events, such as Valentine’s Day, Earth Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Flag Day, and Halloween. These are not federal holidays. Some holidays and observances receive Presidential proclamations. Ethnic and Religious Holidays Various ethnic and religious groups in the United States celebrate days with special meaning to them. Some of these holidays include Easter for Christians, the High Holy Days for Jews, Ramadan for Muslims, Day of Vesak for Buddhists, and Diwali for Hindus. The United States issues paper currency and coins to pay for purchases, taxes, and debts. Paper Money American paper currency is issued in several denominations : $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing manufactures paper money.

It also redesigns money , with new appearances and enhanced security features to prevent counterfeiting. You can purchase commemorative or bulk versions of American currency through the Bureau's Money Store. The United States no longer issues bills in larger denominations, such as $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills. However, they are still legal tender and may still be in circulation. Coins The United States issues several denominations, with the most common being: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, and $1. The U.S. Mint is responsible for manufacturing and circulating coins to pay for goods and services. It also issues collectible and commemorative coins that honor a person, place, or event and are available for purchase . Mutilated Money If you have paper money that is extremely damaged, you can redeem it with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Examples of damaged paper money include bills that are less than one half of the bill, or in such a condition that you are unable to tell the denomination of the bill.

If you have paper money that is dirty, defaced, torn, or more than half of the original size, you can take it to your local bank to exchange it for a bill that is in better shape. If you have any coins that are fused, melted, or mutilated in any other way, you can send them to the U.S. Mint for evaluation. You can exchange other coins that aren't severely damaged at your local bank. Back to Top Help for New Immigrants The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) offers a free guide, Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants, which helps new immigrants find basic information on how to settle in the United States. USCIS can also assist you in finding federal government resources and organizations that can help you learn English, apply for U.S. citizenship, manage money, find child care, and more. Back to Top Museums Museums collect and care for objects of scientific, artistic, or historical importance and make them available for public viewing.

They generally concentrate on a particular subject, and most belong to one or more of the following categories: Fine Arts or Applied Arts History—Natural, Cultural, and Military Science Anthropology and Ethnology (branch of anthropology that analyzes cultures) Children's Museums Back to Top Official Language of the United States There is no "official" language at the federal level for the United States. Although the most commonly used language is English , more than 300 languages are spoken or signed by the population. Some individual states list English as their official language. If you would like the United States or your state to adopt an official language, you should contact your elected officials . The federal government is required to provide access to federal programs and federally assisted programs for people with limited English proficiency . Back to Top States and State Capitals The Library of Congress provides historical information and fun facts about each state in the United States , including when they became a state, their nickname, and capital. If you need information on state programs and services, browse your state government website . Back to Top Time Zones The continental U.S. (including Alaska) spans five time zones . American Samoa, Hawaii, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.

Virgin Islands are located in additional time zones. Daylight Saving Time is a widely used system in the U.S. that adjusts the official local time forward one hour during spring and summer months. Clocks are moved ahead one hour on the second Sunday in March at 2 a.m. (local time). Clocks are moved back one hour on the first Sunday in November at 2 a.m. (local time). Some people remember which way to move their clocks by using the phrase, "spring forward, fall back." Daylight Saving Time is not observed in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and most of Arizona. Back to Top Do you need help? Ask us any question about the U.S. government for free. We'll get you the answer, or we'll tell you where to find it. UPS: Holiday Schedule, UPS Closed Days, U.S. Days of Operation U.S.

Days of Operation In the United States, UPS observes the following holidays: New Year's Day - January 1, 2017* New Year's Day - (Observed) - January 2, 2017* Memorial Day - May 29, 2017* Independence Day - July 4, 2017* Labor Day - September 4, 2017* Thanksgiving Day - November 23, 2017* Christmas Eve - December 24, 2017 Christmas - December 25, 2017* New Year's Eve - December 31, 2017 New Year's Day - January 1, 2018* In addition, the following holidays are recognized, but not observed: artin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 16, 2017 Valentine's Day - February 14, 2017 Presidents' Day - February 20, 2017 Chinese New Year - January 28, 2017 Daylight Saving Time begins - March 12, 2017 St.

Patrick's Day - March 17, 2017 Passover - April 10-18, 2017 Earth Day - April 22, 2017 Cinco de Mayo - May 5, 2017 Mother's Day - May 14, 2017 Flag Day - June 14, 2017 Ramadan begins - May 26, 2017 Father's Day - June 18, 2017 UPS Founders' Day - August 28, 2017 Rosh Hashanah - September 20-22, 2017 Yom Kippur - September 29-30, 2017 Columbus Day - October 9, 2017 Halloween - October 31, 2017 Daylight Saving Time ends - November 5, 2017 Veterans Day - November 11, 2017 Hanukkah - December 12-December 20, 2017 Kwanzaa - December 26, 2017-January 1,

 2018 *UPS Holiday.

UPS Express Critical® available. UPS is Your Holiday Helper View our guides on shipping for these special days. Martin Luther King Day Follow Us Martin Luther King Day Celebrated in the United States and even in far away Japan, Martin Luther King Day is observed on the 3rd Monday in the month of January every year. Find out more about the activities and services observed on this day, and find yourself honoring the great man a little more. Advertisement Efforts to establish a federal holiday commemorative to Martin Luther King was initiated by the first black person to adorn the chair of House Judiciary Committee, John Conyers, soon after the 1968 assassination of King. However, it took a decade and a half more to realize this dream of all African-Americans, when in 1983, President Ronald Reagan finally succumbed and passed the law, declaring the 3rd Monday of every January as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The third Monday of January was chosen because it is usually around 15th January, Dr. King's birthday. The first Martin Luther King Day (MLK Day) was fêted on 20th January, 1986.

Today all 50 states of the United States of America observe this day in unison, in honor of all the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr., organizing special events, such as a parade, service, and other activities. Following are the special activities and customs that people of America have adopted over the years for the man who questioned racial disparity and defined justice for many. Parades It had taken the signatures of 6 million people to get the government to dedicate a day for King. Today it is one of the four public holidays recognized by the US Government, which are consecrated to an individual. Parades are organized in numerous cities around the US. In Los Angeles, the Kingdom Day Parade starts from the Martin Luther King Boulevard and goes on to Leimert Park at about 10.30 am. The entire event is telecast and includes spectacular float shows, marches, drill presentations, and special appearances and performances by celebrities. The parade generally is followed by special gospel services, in the memory of King, who was a Reverend and an immensely religious man. His famous quotes and speeches hold witness to his deep belief in the power of God to uplift the plight of the socially downtrodden.

This service also sees a discussion of his famous "I have a dream" speech, along with live music. Food stalls are set up by local vendors around the service area. The themed annual MLK Day Parade in Baltimore commencing from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard at Eutaw Street, Manhattan's Fifth Avenue grand parade traveling from the 61st to the 86th street in New York City, the Annual MLK Jr. Parade in Savannah, Georgia, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in Washington DC beginning from Ballou High School on Fourth Street moving along Martin Luther King Avenue, are all magniloquent shows held in the memory of the great man. The duration of these parades vary from city to city. It can be anything from two and a half hour parades to five-hour long extravaganzas as in the case of New York. A lot of activities are included in the celebrations along with the parades.

Activities Parades are most often conjoined with activities such as health fairs, blood donation campaigns (as arranged by the Savannah Observance Day Association, Inc.), community services such as alms collection as well as distribution of homemade food and other amenities in hospitals and slum areas, as organized by the Jewish Community Center in New York. Human interest documentaries, which deal with the suffering and survival of races strewn all over the globe, are screened in many places, along with schools organizing special visits to museums, orphanages, homes for the disabled, and old age homes on this day. Services in Atlanta involve volunteers spending the day with underprivileged kids, tending to their physical and mental needs, and also renovating their schools and surroundings. Many people also gather at churches and libraries, with their children, for sermons and elaborate discussions on the principles of Martin Luther King as demonstrated by him during his lifetime. Excerpts from his books are also read out in some places with analytical speeches delivered by scholars and followers of King's ideals. Nowadays, various communities club activities and services and schedule it in and around the actual Martin Luther King Day, wherein events take place throughout preceding week and the weekend, now addressed as the Martin Luther King week.

MLK Day has certainly come a long way. It is a very special day for Americans, evident from the magnitude of the events arranged. No more restricted to only the black community, all citizens of America today join hands to seek courage and wisdom from the man who envisioned a unified world, a world sans the shackles of racism and narrow-mindedness. In fact, it is this very message of King's, regarding one world, which enables anybody, no matter a citizen of which country to adopt Martin Luther King Day and celebrate the victory of humanity. Ankana Dey Choudhury Holidays Holidays Holidays Page Content The State offers 12 paid holidays in each year. The number of paid holidays is above the national average for both public and private sector employees. In addition, employees generally do not work on statewide primary and general election days.

Official State holidays are: New Year’s Day (January 1) Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday in January) President’s Day (Third Monday in February) Memorial Day (Last Monday in May) West Virginia Day (June 20; observed in 2015 on June 19) Independence Day (July 4) Labor Day (First Monday in September) Columbus Day (Second Monday in October) Veterans Day (November 11) Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November) Day After Thanksgiving (Fourth Friday in November) Christmas Day (December 25) In addition, time off is given for the following: When Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, the preceding half day (not to exceed four hours) on Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year’s Eve (December 31) are given as time off. Any day on which a Primary or General election is held throughout the State, and such other days as the President, Governor, or other duly constituted authority proclaim to be official holidays or days of special observance or thanksgiving, or days for the general cessation of business, is given as time off.

When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the previous Friday is observed; when a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed. NOTE: Some agencies must modify their holiday observances and time off due to required work schedules. Consult your supervisor for questions. 2016 Federal Holiday Calendar | National Holidays | 2017 Federal Holidays Christmas Day December 25 * When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, it is usually observed on the preceding Friday. When the holiday falls on a Sunday, it is usually observed on the following Monday. * In addition to the ten annual federal holidays, Inauguration Day is an eleventh holiday designated by Congress for observance every four years on January 20 following a U. S. presidential election. It is only observed by government employees in Washington D.C. and the border counties of Maryland and Virginia. Inauguration Day was created to help relieve the congestion that occurs around Washington D.C. with the events surrounding the swearing-in of the President and Vice President of the United States. ** December 25, 2016 (the legal public holiday for Christmas Day), falls on a Sunday.

For most Federal employees, Monday, December 26, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. Though not technically accurate, U.S. federal holidays are often referred to as ‘public holidays’ or ‘legal holidays’ because of their wide spread observance. Bank holidays are usually the same as federal holidays since most banks follow the holiday calendar of the U.S. Federal Reserve. They tend to use the modern President’s Day for the observance of George Washington’s Birthday. 1. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has additional information and federal holiday dates for years not listed above. ​Redcort Software Inc. assumes no liability and makes no warranties on or for the information contained on these pages. The information presented is intended for reference only and is neither tax nor legal advice. Consult a professional tax, legal or other advisor to verify this information and determine if and/or how it may apply to your particular situation.

Question: In the USA, Martin Luther King Day is observed on the 3rd Monday of which month?
Answer: JANUARY