Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the third Monday in January to honor the life, leadership, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister and central figure in the Civil Rights Movement who advocated nonviolent resistance to racial segregation and discrimination. Congress passed legislation establishing the holiday in 1983, with the first nationwide observance in 1986, following a years-long campaign that began shortly after King’s assassination in 1968; all 50 states had formally recognized the holiday by 2000.
Today, the day is widely framed as a “day on, not a day off,” encouraging Americans to engage in community service, civic participation, and educational events that address civil rights, racial equity, and social justice. Colleges and libraries often mark the holiday by hosting lectures, service projects, film screenings, and exhibits that explore King’s writings, the broader Civil Rights Movement, and contemporary struggles against racism.
Sources:
The National Day of Racial Healing is an annual observance held on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day that invites people of all backgrounds to reflect on the impacts of racism, engage in honest dialogue, and take steps toward healing and racial equity in their communities. Launched in 2017 by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of its Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) initiative, the day emerged from a national summit of racial justice and community leaders who called for a recurring day dedicated to racial healing in the wake of the effects of racism in the United States.
The observance emphasizes relationship-building, storytelling, and community-based events—such as conversations, arts programs, and educational activities—that help people acknowledge shared values, confront historical and contemporary harms, and commit to sustained action toward racial equity. Libraries, archives, and other cultural institutions are encouraged to use the day to host programs, share resources, and support ongoing efforts that address racial injustice and promote inclusive, healing-centered practices.
Sources