News
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY, Ala. — In January, people in the United States pause to remember an important figure in America’s Civil Rights Movement — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Although King’s birthday is officially Jan. 15, the nation observes Martin Luther King Day (MLK Day) on the third Monday in January each year. As a reflection of King’s life and legacy as a public servant, MLK Day is also called the MLK Day of Service, the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service.
“MLK Day offers a chance for people to volunteer with Alabama Extension,” said Jennifer Wells-Marshall, Alabama Cooperative Extension System associate director. “We want to encourage Alabamians to contact their county Extension offices to find out how they can serve their communities like Dr. King.”
Observing MLK Day
The 2025 MLK Day theme is Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365. This theme reflects King’s efforts to find sustainable solutions to injustice and violence worldwide. In other words, it challenges people to create a world where injustice ceases and love prevails.
Today, many people observe MLK Day by engaging in community activities. The following is a list of potential ideas for observing this special day:
- Check local listings for MLK Day activities in your community.
- Visit the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, or The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Read books about King’s life or one of his books, such as “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?,” “Strength to Love” or “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
- Donate to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, or another civil rights organization.
- Think of what you can do to champion King’s work all year.
In the words of King, “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”