It was first proposed four days after King's 1968 assassination outside a Memphis motel. It took 15 years until it became a federal holiday.

As the nation recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a traditional celebration will take place locally. The 2025 MLK Day Beloved Community Commemorative Service kicks off at 9 a.m. on Monday, and you can watch it live from home.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an annual federal holiday to honour the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a very significant figure in the American civil rights movement. The holiday falls on the third Monday in January and this year happens to be on January 20,