MLK Junior Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the third Monday of January to honor the life and legacy of the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who advocated for racial equality and social justice through nonviolent means. Established in 1983 and first observed in 1986, the holiday is also designated as a National Day of Service, encouraging Americans to volunteer and perform acts of kindness to improve their communities. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day video