Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. - NPS Commemorations and Celebrations
Commemorating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Georgia NPS Photo
The National Park Service (NPS) invites everyone to remember and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his birthday, January 15. Commonly called Martin Luther King, Jr. Day or MLK Day, the third Monday of January is a federal holiday to honor his tireless advocacy for racial equality and social justice.
MLK Day of Service: A Time for Community Action
"The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others." - Coretta Scott King
The MLK Day of Service is a day of volunteerism, as Americans across the country come together to make a positive impact in their communities. Many national parks traditionally host a variety of service projects that people can sign up for as volunteers.
Walk in Dr. King's Footsteps: Exploring National Parks
The NPS preserves the stories of Dr. King's life and its profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement in our national parks and in communities across the country. Some of these places include:
Join the Celebration: Find an Event or Volunteer Opportunity
Visit the National Park Service website to find in-person and virtual programs about Dr. King's life and service projects at national parks around the country. Remember to check ahead for trip planning information and to recreate responsibly for a safe visit.
