When is MLK Day 2024? What to know about the civil rights holiday

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the federal holiday honoring the life and birthday of one of the most influential civil rights leaders in American history, is this month.

Although the holiday is observed annually on the third Monday of January, this year is extra special because the holiday falls on King's actual birthday, Jan. 15.

Here's everything to know about Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2024, including why we celebrate it.

What day is MLK Day 2024?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed annually on the third Monday of January. This year, it takes place on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, King's actual birthday.

When was Martin Luther King Jr. born?

King, a civil rights icon, was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 15, 1929.

Is MLK Day always on a Monday?

Yes, the holiday is observed each year on the third Monday of January due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which former President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law in 1968. The law made it where several federal holidays, including Memorial Day, Labor Day and Washington's Birthday, would be commemorated on Mondays to create long weekends.

Even though the anniversary of King's birthday is on Jan. 15, it's commemorated on Monday like the other holidays under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

When did Martin Luther King Jr. Day become a federal holiday?

Ceremonies commemorating King's birthday and legacy have been held since his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. However, the day did not become an approved federal holiday until 1983, when President Ronald Reagan signed it into law.

The first national holiday honoring King was celebrated in 1986. But it wasn't until 2000 that all states honored the government holiday.

Efforts from King's widow, Coretta Scott King, singer Stevie Wonder, lawmakers, activists and others also helped to bring the holiday to fruition, USA TODAY reports.

Why and how do we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

The federal holiday honors the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to speaking out against injustice, inequality, poverty and war. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the holiday is usually celebrated with marches, parades, speeches by civil rights leaders and politicians, volunteering, and special programming at museums and other cultural institutions nationwide.

MLK Day is the only federal holiday that is "designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities," per the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Who killed Martin Luther King Jr.?

According to the National Archives, James Earl Ray, a 40-year-old convicted armed robber who escaped from the Missouri State Penitentiary, pleaded guilty on March 10, 1969, to shooting King nearly a year prior on April 4, 1968.

King was shot and wounded on the second-floor balcony outside his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. He was pronounced dead at St. Joseph Hospital later that day.

Ray was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 99 years at the state prison.

Other Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in Greater Cincinnati 2024

Celebrate Black Empowerment Day

• When: Saturday, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Where: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate.

• What: This celebration highlights Black excellence, past, present, and future, through art, performances, informational booths, vendors, and speakers. This event is included with the price of admission and is free for CMC Members.

• For more information, visit cincymuseum.org.

Sharing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream of One Nation

• When: Sunday, Jan. 14 at 3 p.m.

• Where: Zion Baptist Church, 630 Glenwood Ave., Avondale.

• What: Interfaith vesper hour with guest speaker Kenneth L. Parker, with a reception to follow. This event is free and open to the public.

King Legacy Celebration

• When: Monday, Jan. 15 at 8:30 a.m.

• Where: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, The Banks.

• What: This event features keynote speaker Adren Wilson, with Adrian Dunn and the Adrian Dunn Singers performing. Tickets are $50 and $25 for the live stream.

• For more information, visit Freedomcenter.org/klc24.

49th Annual Freedom March: Love, Power, Justice

• When: Monday, Jan. 15 at 10:30 a.m.

• Where: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, The Banks.

• What: This free march begins at the Freedom Center and ends at Music Hall, with a community celebration to follow. Speeches from community leaders Bishop Ennis F. Tait, Rickell Howard Smith, and former Judge Fanon A. Rucker will also be included. A complimentary Rosa Parks Bus will provide rides for those unable to march.

• For more information, visit mlkcoalition.org.

Free Admission Day

• When: Monday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Where: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, The Banks.

• What: Enjoy a performance by award-winning composer Adrian Dunn and the Adrian Dunn Singers, plus story times, self-guided activities and more.

• For more information, visit Freedomcenter.org/klc24.

MLK Day Blood Drive

• When: Monday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Where: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, The Banks.

• What: The Freedom Center, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will host a blood drive. Walkups will be accepted, but donors are encouraged to register.

• To register, visit hoxworth.org/mlk.

Keep the Dream Alive Award Ceremony

• When: Monday, Jan. 15 at 3 p.m.

• Where:  St. Savior, 4136 Myrtle Ave., Sycamore Township.

• What: This free ceremony recognizes individuals who actively build upon King’s dream through the power of love. Bishop Ennis Tair will be the keynote speaker.

• For more information, visit crescentparishes.org.

The 39th Annual MLK Day Celebration

• When: Monday, Jan. 15 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

• Where: Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1270 North Broadway, Lebanon.

• What: The 39th Annual MLK Day Celebration in Lebanon is free and open to the public.

• For more information, visit Mlklebanon.org.

Martin Luther King, Jr. - The Man, The Cause “In and Out of Time"

• When: Monday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m.

• Where: Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.

• What: This musical traces the journey that led to King's powerful dream, touching on past and current issues through Marvin Gaye’s classic album “What’s Going On.” Tickets are $6-$8.

• For more information, visit Memorialhallotr.com.

Contributing: Marina Pitofsky, Kristin Lam, Joshua Bote and Mary Bowerman; USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When is MLK Day 2024? Date, history and a list of events