Monday marks 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, marks the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Missouri Bar Center will be closed in observance of the holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday in January to honor the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader of the civil rights movement. King was known for his campaign to end racial discrimination in federal and state laws. His work brought about the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Civil Rights Act of 1964 (access Missouri Bar Citizenship Education lesson plans about the historic legislation here).

Signed into law by President Ronald Reagan 40 years ago in the fall of 1983, the day was designated a National Day of Service by Congress in 1994. Since then, hundreds of organizations have marked the occasion with citizen action and volunteer efforts.

Interested in volunteering but unsure how to get started? Look to local media outlets for events in your community or explore websites like nationalservice.gov and volunteermatch.org to connect you with service opportunities. Missouri lawyers can also volunteer through The Missouri Bar or other organizations to provide pro bono services to Missourians in need. Learn more about pro bono opportunities on the bar's website here.