Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal and state holiday held on the third Monday of each January to celebrate the life of the slain civil rights activist. Today is also Dr. King’s actual birthday.  He was born on this day in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929.

MLK Jr. Day is one of several holidays whose date changes each year in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Others include President’s Day, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. The purpose of the act, which became law in 1968, is to increase the number of three-day weekends for federal employees.

Locally, state, county and municipal governmental offices will be closed.  Also the U.S. Post Office will not deliver mail today and banks will be closed.