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The Daily Insight

What states celebrate MLK Day

Author

Ava Robinson

Updated on May 08, 2026

However, despite their efforts to oppose the holiday, neither Idaho nor Arizona were among the last states to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 1993, New Hampshire had approved the celebration of “Civil Rights Day” instead and it wasn’t until 1999 that the state would eventually recognize MLK Day in name.

What states do not recognize MLK Day?

However, despite their efforts to oppose the holiday, neither Idaho nor Arizona were among the last states to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 1993, New Hampshire had approved the celebration of “Civil Rights Day” instead and it wasn’t until 1999 that the state would eventually recognize MLK Day in name.

What was the last state to recognize MLK Day as a holiday?

On May 2, 2000, South Carolina governor Jim Hodges signed a bill to make King’s birthday an official state holiday. South Carolina was the last state to recognize the day as a paid holiday for all state employees.

Do all states recognize Martin Luther King Day?

King’s birthday was finally approved as a federal holiday in 1983, and all 50 states made it a state government holiday by 2000. Officially, King was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta. But the King holiday is marked every year on the third Monday in January.

Does Arizona still not celebrate MLK Day?

On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a law designating the third Monday in January as a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King. Inspired by this action, several states established a holiday to honor Martin Luther King (MLK). Arizona was not one of these states.

Why is MLK Day on the third Monday of January?

MLK Day is observed on the third Monday in January because of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, a bill signed into law in 1968 and enacted in 1971. As passed, the mandate moved commemorations for George Washington’s birthday, Memorial Day and Labor Day permanently to Mondays.

Who gets MLK Day off?

According to Bloomberg Law, 42 percent of employers in the United States gave employees the day off in 2018. Civil and nonprofit organizations such as universities and hospitals were the most likely to give employees the day off for the holiday; 72 percent gave them the day off with pay.

Is January 18th a federal holiday?

New Year’s DayJanuary 1FridayMartin Luther King, Jr. DayJanuary 18MondayGeorge Washington’s Birthday**February 15MondayMemorial DayMay 31MondayJuneteenthJune 18*Friday

Is MLK Day a federal holiday 2021?

In 2021, the federal holidays in the United States fall on the following dates: Friday, January 1 – New Year’s Day. Monday, January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

When did Arizona adopt MLK Day?

Governor Bruce Babbitt declared Martin Luther King Jr. Day an Arizona holiday in March 18, 1986, but his proclamation was repealed by Governor Mecham in 1987 on the grounds Babbitt did not have the authority to declare such a holiday.

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When did MLK Day become a holiday in Texas?

On January 20, 1986, KXAS reporter Ramona Logan reported on Dallas-Forth Worth residents’ reactions to the day for the 6:00 news. Some Texas employees chose to take a vacation day in honor of Dr. King, while others chose to honor his memory through their vocations.

Is MLK Day a holiday in Florida?

SundayJanuary 1New Year’s DayJanuary 15Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.January 19Birthday of Robert E. LeeFebruary 12Lincoln’s Birthday

Do you get paid for MLK Day?

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday honoring the life and work of the civil rights activist. All federal employees are paid for working even if they receive the day off. Many private employees will also receive paid time off or special holiday pay on the holiday.

Is it illegal to work on Martin Luther King Day?

Day is, technically speaking, a federal holiday, along with Washington’s Birthday and Columbus Day, which means that companies can ignore it: The “day off” part of the federal law is only legally applicable for federal employees and the District of Columbia.

Do you get paid more on MLK Day?

Businesses that close on federal holidays are not required to pay their employees for the day off, and those that stay open are not obligated to pay employees extra for normal work hours. … The U.S. government lists these days as federal holidays: New Year’s Day. Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Where did the famous I Have a Dream speech take place?

On August 28, 1963, in front of a crowd of nearly 250,000 people spread across the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the Baptist preacher and civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his now-famous “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Is Juneteenth a federal holiday?

Spurred on by the advocates and the Congressional Black Caucus, on June 15, 2021, the Senate unanimously passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday; it subsequently passed through the House of Representatives by a 415–14 vote on June 16.

Will USPS observe Juneteenth?

The U.S. Postal Service is fully supportive of the new Juneteenth National Independence Day Act and making June 19 a federal holiday. … For that reason, the Postal Service will be operating on June 18 and 19, 2021, on a normal schedule, serving our customers to the best of our ability.

Is USPS closed for Juneteenth?

Yes, USPS remained open as the agency couldn’t cease operations for 24-48 hours after the announcement of the observation of the holiday. The post office will operate on a normal schedule for June 18 and June 19, 2021.

Will there be mail on Juneteenth?

The U.S. Postal Service announced mail delivery and other operations will continue Friday and Saturday despite the new Juneteenth federal holiday. President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth bill late Thursday and federal offices will be closed Friday, ahead of the official holiday on June 19.

Did MLK day replace another holiday?

The bill Reagan signed in 1983 didn’t take effect until three years later, and even then some states resisted recognizing the day as an official holiday. … Instead, Mecham replaced the traditional Monday holiday with an unpaid “Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day” in the state on the third Sunday of January.

What does the word Juneteenth mean?

Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is also called Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day. The name “Juneteenth” references the date of the holiday, combining the words “June” and “nineteenth.”

Is there mail on MLK Day 2021?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, Postal Service facilities will be closed for retail transactions on Monday, January 18, 2021. There will be no residential or business deliveries. Although there will be no regular mail service, Priority Mail Express is delivered 365 days a year and will be delivered on January 18th.

Who won the 1993 battle between the NFL and the state of Arizona over Martin Luther King Day?

Buffalo Bills (4) (AFC) (11–5)Dallas Cowboys (2) (NFC) (13–3)1752Head coach: Marv LevyHead coach: Jimmy Johnson

Is Columbus Day a state holiday in Arizona?

Every SundaySeptember 17Constitution Commemoration DaySecond Monday in OctoberColumbus DayNovember 11Veterans DayFourth Thursday in NovemberThanksgiving Day

Are Florida State offices closed for Juneteenth?

Florida has yet to establish Juneteenth as a legal state holiday, following the death of George Floyd and other issues surrounding racism and injustices against African Americans. State Rep. … Driskell closed her office Friday in honor of Juneteenth and last year for the holiday, she said.

Is Juneteenth a holiday in Florida?

But Florida still has not established Juneteenth as a legal state holiday, following the death of George Floyd and other issues surrounding racism and injustices against African Americans. … For now, the state only recognizes Juneteenth as a day of observance instead of a holiday.

Is Memorial Day a state holiday?

Memorial Day is a federal holiday. All non-essential Government offices are closed, as are schools, businesses and other organizations.

Can I be forced to work on a federal holiday?

Sadly, the law views holidays as just another business day, so whether or not you have to work is entirely up to your employer’s discretion if you work for a private company. … While many private employers offer some or all federal holidays off as an employee benefit, there is no law requiring them to do so.

Is Juneteenth time and a half?

Although private businesses do not need to close or give employees the day off for federal legal holidays, many do. Companies including Nike, Target, and Best Buy recognize Juneteenth by giving employees paid time off or time and a half (for those who work).

What percent of people work on MLK Day?

According to an annual survey by Bloomberg Law, only 45 percent of private employers closed their doors for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2019. This is an increase over years prior—a decade before, this number was less than 30 percent. It’s clear that American values are shifting.