Is Martin Luther King Day a National Holiday?: Why It Should Be a National Holiday?

Check Out The Martin Luther King Day

By Riya Arya On Jan 16, 2023

In this article, you are going to find out everything about Is Martin Luther King Day a National Holiday. Let’s have a look on what we have found out for you.

What is Martin Luther King Day? Who was the founder of Martin Luther King Day? How to observe this day?

To know the answers of the questions mentioned above, go through this article. Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, also referred as MLK Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. The day marks the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. He was Born in 1929, King’s actual birthday is January 15.

King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement. He protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday as a part of law in 1983. it was first observed three years later on January 20, 1986. Some states refused to observe this day to holiday as such, but later officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

The day is basically dedicated to this great person, Martin Luther King who has done great work during his life spend. He not only took stand against racism but also provided equality and sense of Liberty to the people who were going through Discrimination.

Martin Luther King Day: Dates

2022: January 17
2023: January 16
2024: January 15
2025: January 20

Martin Luther King Day: Other Names

Now that all the states have observed the holiday, some did not name the day after King.

In Alabama: Robert E. Lee/Martin Luther King Birthday.

In Arizona: Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day.

In Arkansas: It was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday and Robert E. Lee’s Birthday from 1985 to 2017. Legislation in the year 2017 changed its name of the state holiday to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday” and moved the commemoration of Lee to October.

In Idaho: Martin Luther King, Idaho Human Rights Day

In Mississippi: Martin Luther King’s and Robert E. Lee’s Birthdays.

In New Hampshire: Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Day.

In Virginia: it was known as Lee–Jackson–King Day, combining King’s birthday with the established Lee–Jackson Day.

In Wyoming: it is known as Martin Luther King Jr./Wyoming Equality Day. Liz

Martin Luther King Day: Observance

Most of the employers gave employees the day off. Trading and banks are generally closed. Many schools and places of higher education are closed for classes; some remain open and hold seminars or arrange events of King’s teachings.

Is There Holiday Outside The USA?

In the City of Toronto government in Ontario officially recognizes Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but has not as a set it as a holiday thus the government services and businesses remain open.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

Dr. Martin Luther King Tribute and Dinner has been held in Wassenaar, The Netherlands since 1987.

FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions

Why Martin Luther King Day is a national holiday?

The day is dedicated to his efforts and achievements.

Do companies work on Martin Luther King Day?

It’s a federal holiday. All the government agencies, banks and many corporate offices remain closed in USA.

Is it illegal to make people work on MLK Day?

No, There is nothing in state law that mandates that an employer must close its business on any particular day.

The Final Words

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