Martin Luther King Jr. Day or MLK Day is Monday. This is a federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year.

Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash
Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash
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What Will Be Closed on MLK Day?

The United States Postal Service says they will be closed on Monday nationwide in observance of the holiday, which means they will not deliver mail to your home or business. UPS and FedEx will remain open.

The New York Stock Exchange will also be closed on Monday.

Banks will be closed on MLK Day, but you will still be able to use ATMs.

Most schools will be closed.

The Department of Motor Vehicles offices will be closed.

Courts will be closed too.

Photo by Bee Calder on Unsplash
Photo by Bee Calder on Unsplash
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Events In Grand Rapids To Honor King:

The 36th Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be held at 24 Fountain St NE in Grand Rapids beginning at 6pm.

The Urban League of West Michigan in Grand Rapids is hosting its MLK Corporate Breakfast virtually Monday, Jan. 17.

The World Of Winter Festival will offer a Black History Walking Tour on Jan. 17 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Candied Yam at 2305 44th Street SE invites EVERYONE to break bread together. "Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr for A Day of Serving at The Candied Yam - Delightful Southern Cuisine." The lunch is from noon to 2:30pm.

There are many more events scheduled in Grand Rapids to honor King. They can be found here. 

Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash
Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash
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King was the outspoken, non-violent activist who became a force during the civil rights movement. He was assassinated in 1968.

After King's death, U.S. Representative John Conyers, a Democrat from Michigan and U.S. Senator Edward Brooke, a Republican from Massachusetts introduced a bill in Congress to make King's birthday a national holiday.

Photo by LeeAnn Cline on Unsplash
Photo by LeeAnn Cline on Unsplash
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President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later in 1986. In 1994, Congress designated the holiday as a national day of service, a "Day On, Not a Day Off."

It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. The day is the first federal holiday honoring an African American.

January 17, 2022, will mark the 27th anniversary of the national day of service.

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