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Martin Luther King Jr. Day: dates, traditions and planning
When is MLK Day 2027?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027 is Monday, 18 January, in ISO week 3. With the weekend before it, many federal employees and schools have a three-day weekend from Saturday, 16 January to Monday, 18 January.
MLK Day 2026 was Monday, 19 January, in ISO week 4. The five-year table above shows the exact date, weekday and ISO week for each year.
How is the date decided?
The holiday is the third Monday in January, so it always falls between 15 and 21 January. It is placed close to King’s birthday, 15 January 1929, and in some years falls exactly on it.
Whether schools, banks and private employers close varies. Federal offices close; check your employer, school district or bank for local arrangements.
Why the holiday exists
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and a leader of the American civil rights movement who championed nonviolent protest. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and was assassinated in Memphis on 4 April 1968.
President Ronald Reagan signed the law creating the federal holiday on 2 November 1983, and it was first observed nationally on 20 January 1986. Congress later designated the day as a national day of service, encouraging volunteering in local communities.
Explore the 2027 United States calendar with week numbers for holidays and clock changes. For exact intervals use the date calculator, compare cities in the meeting planner, or set a different event time in the custom countdown. The sunrise and sunset tool helps with outdoor plans.
