Martin Luther King Jr. Day ((January 19, 2026) serves as a reminder to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by engaging in acts of service and promoting inclusivity within our communities. It is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to come together, reflect on the progress made, and strive for a more equitable society.
Historical Significance
On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill into law designating the third Monday in January a federal holiday in observance of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK day honors the incredible achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his tireless efforts in advocating for civil rights and equality. Dr. King was a Baptist minister who fought to end racial segregation through peace and nonviolent means. He became the most influential African American civil rights leader during the 1960s. In addition, he helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited racial discrimination in public facilities, employment and accommodations illegal. Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and was also an important figure in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. (National Museum of African American History & Culture)
Programming & Events
Washington University – Danforth Campus
- January 19th – Martin Luther King Jr., National Day of Service
- January 20th from 10:00-10:45am – Cultural Somatic Skills for Navigating Difficult Times
- January 21st from 4:00-6:00pm – 2026 MLK, Jr. Week Keynote with Dr. Hasan Jeffries
- January 22nd from 11:30-1:00pm – ODEI Open House
- January 23rd from 12:00-1:30pm – Drum Major Award Ceremony
St. Louis
- Sunday, January 18, 2026 from 1:00-4:00pm – Family Sunday – MLK Jr. Celebration at the St. Louis Art Museum
- January 16 – January 19, 2026 – With Liberty and Justice for All: MLK in STL at the History Museum
- January 18, 2026 at 2:30pm – Annual Peace and Justice Mass at Cathedral Basilica