Jan. 19, 2026 marks the 40th year that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has been observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of the month. MLK Day, which honors the civil rights activist’s Jan. 15 birthday, was made a federal holiday in 1986 after years of activism from politicians, celebrities, civil rights activists, and the public. A key figure in the effort was the legendary R&B singer Stevie Wonder , who testified before Congress, held rallies, and even wrote the song “Happy Birthday,”