Martin Luther King Jr. Day Countdown
Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the third Monday of January, near Dr. King's January 15 birthday. This countdown automatically targets the next one.
How many days until Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, January 18, 2027, which is 191 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.
A hard-won holiday
Campaigns for a King holiday began days after his assassination in 1968; President Reagan signed it into law in 1983 and it was first observed in 1986. By 2000, all fifty states recognized it.
A day on, not a day off
MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, with volunteer projects across the country honoring Dr. King's legacy.
Stevie Wonder's birthday song
The final push for the holiday came with a melody: Stevie Wonder released 'Happy Birthday' in 1980 as a campaign anthem for a King holiday, toured behind it, and helped deliver a petition of six million signatures to Congress — described as the largest petition in favor of an issue in U.S. history at the time.
Quick facts
- Observed on the third Monday of January
- Signed into law in 1983; first observed in 1986
- Recognized by all 50 states since 2000
- The only federal holiday designated a national day of service
- Stevie Wonder's 'Happy Birthday' was written to campaign for the holiday
A U.S. federal holiday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one of the 11 official U.S. federal holidays. Not sure which one comes next? The next federal holiday countdown always ticks down to whichever is soonest — and the next long weekend countdown tells you when you're off work for 3 days straight.
A day on, not a day off
Read, reflect, and share the story with the next generation.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day — frequently asked questions
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, January 18, 2027.
How many days until Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, January 18, 2027, which is 191 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.
Fact-checked & updated July 2026 · alarm-clock.org