ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY, Ala. — January 19, 2026, marks the 40th observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States, observed each year on the third Monday in January. Commonly known as MLK Day, the holiday honors the birth and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who led nonviolent protests for nearly a decade until his assassination on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Traditionally observed with a central theme, MLK Day is the only national federal holiday officially designated as a day of service.

2026 Theme

The theme for MLK Day 2026 is Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way. This theme reflects Dr. King’s legacy of creating a more just and peaceful nation and fostering greater unity (community) among all people.

“Alabama Extension provides educational opportunities that bring people together and relies on collaborative partnerships that strengthen communities. In many ways, building communities is at the heart of what we do,” said Majed El-Dweik, vice president of research and economic development and interim 1890 administrator at Alabama A&M University.

Observing MLK Day

Today, many people observe MLK Day by attending special events or providing community service. Here is a list of potential ideas for observing this special day.

• Check local online calendars or Facebook event sites to find scheduled MLK Day activities in your community.
• Volunteer in your community or use your skills online via Catchafire.
• Visit the Legacy Center in Montgomery, Alabama, or make a trip to Atlanta to visit The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change or to attend an MLK Center event.
• Donate to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, or to another civil rights organization.
• Find ways to champion King’s work year-round or to volunteer with organizations like the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in your county.

Quote of the Year

In the words of King, “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”