MLK Day: Flag Flying Holiday and National Day of Service

Each January, Americans come together to honor the life, legacy, and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential figures in our nation’s history. This holiday is recognized as an official flag-flying day in the United States, encouraging Americans to display the stars and stripes in tribute to Dr. King’s enduring legacy. It is also a day of service, inspiring communities across the country to engage in volunteer efforts that continue the work of equality, justice, and positive change that Dr. King championed.

What is MLK Day?

MLK Day, also known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is an annual national observance honoring one of the most well-known leaders of the American Civil Rights movement. MLK Day is a federal flag-flying holiday and an official day of service. 

When is Martin Luther King Day?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed each year on the third Monday in January, which is close to Dr. King’s actual birthday, January 15. This year, the holiday falls on January 19, 2026.

Who Was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?

Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, GA, to a Baptist minister. He was initially named Michael Luther King, but changed his first name to Martin later in life.

Having been raised by a family of pastors in his home congregation, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. King was well-versed in scripture from a young age. He attended segregated public schools in his home state of Georgia, graduating from high school at the early age of fifteen before enrolling in Morehouse College. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse in 1948 and then went on to study at Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, where he was elected president of the primarily white graduating class. He earned his Bachelor of Divinity from Crozer in 1951. Dr. King then enrolled in graduate studies at Boston University, where he received his doctorate in 1953. While attending school in Boston, Dr. King met and married Coretta Scott, with whom he had two sons and two daughters, and who played an active role alongside him in the Civil Rights movement. 

By 1954, Dr. King had already established a reputation as a strong leader in promoting the rights of Black Americans. He was the practicing pastor at Dexter Avenue Baptist church in Montgomery, Alabama, when the Civil Rights movement started to gain momentum. At this time, Dr. King was also a member of the NAACP's executive committee. The following year, Dr. King accepted the leadership role for the first major nonviolent demonstration: boycotting segregated buses. Having lasted 382 days, the boycott came to an end when the Supreme Court ruled that the laws requiring segregation on buses were unconstitutional. From this point forward, Black Americans were to be treated as equals when utilizing public transportation.

Throughout his lifetime, Dr. King made it a point to demonstrate that progress can be achieved through peaceful means. Throughout his 11-year tenure as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. King traveled millions of miles and spoke at hundreds of events in areas where injustice was prevalent. While he was traveling and speaking, Dr. King also wrote a collection of books that would later be used by professors and educators when teaching about his legacy. His “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is a personal manifesto that describes his vision for an integrated America where all people are treated as equals. 

He also led the peaceful march on Washington, D.C. in 1963, where he delivered his “I Have a Dream” address at the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd consisting of at least 250,000 people. In October 1964, he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, from which he donated all his proceeds to the Civil Rights movement.

While preparing to lead another protest march in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. King was shot while looking over the Lorraine Motel’s balcony on the evening of April 4, 1968. He was unable to survive the bullet wounds and passed away at the young age of 39. Although Dr. King is no longer with us, his legacy and dream continue to live on in the hearts and minds of Americans everywhere.

Is MLK Day a Federal Holiday?

Yes, MLK Day is a federal holiday in the United States. On November 3, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill that marked the third Monday of January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. All 50 states officially observed the federal holiday in 2000.

Flag-Flying Holiday & Day of Service

MLK Day is observed as an official flag-flying holiday in the United States, honoring the contributions and legacy of Dr. King. Americans across the country are encouraged to proudly fly their American flags to commemorate his achievements and their lasting impact. 

The idea that MLK Day should also be a day of community service originated with Pennsylvania Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, who co-wrote the proposed Act. MLK Day of Service was designated by Congress in 1994 and signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Service efforts are coordinated locally by cities or ordinary citizens, with many programs historically sponsored through AmeriCorps.

MLK Day offers Americans a unique opportunity to both honor history and make a difference today. By flying the American flag, citizens can recognize Dr. King’s monumental achievements, while participating in service projects contributes to his vision of a more just and inclusive society. We wish you a safe and joyful MLK Day, whether you fly the American flag, participate in community service, or reflect on his teachings.