National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., patrol the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on Jan. 18, 2021. The memorial was closed to the public through Jan. 21 due to security concerns surrounding the presidential inauguration scheduled for Jan.

It was first proposed four days after King's 1968 assassination outside a Memphis motel. It took 15 years until it became a federal holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr., a reverend and civil-rights activist, was assassinated at 39. However, he inspired several movements and political changes.

This year's MLK Day also falls on Inauguration Day for President-elect Donald Trump, marking only the second time in 28 years that these federal observances align. The last time the two dates overlapped was during President Bill Clinton's second inauguration in January 1997, which also included both inauguration events and MLK Day commemorations.

The Anthony, Canutillo, Clint, El Paso, Gadsden, Fabens, Ysleta and Socorro independent school districts will be closed for the holiday, as well as Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso and the University of Texas at El Paso.

As the nation recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a traditional celebration will take place locally. The 2025 MLK Day Beloved Community Commemorative Service kicks off at 9 a.m. on Monday, and you can watch it live from home.

Family and others carrying on Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of equality, justice and nonviolent protest want Americans to remember that Monday's holiday is really about helping others.

The 42nd edition of a local MLK Day march is expected to draw an even greater turnout than usual this year, while many other events will mark the holiday in unique ways.

Here’s what to know about Martin Luther King Jr., why we celebrate his impact each year and when MLK Day is in 2025.

Donald Trump will celebrate his Inauguration Day today, the same day as MLK Day. How many times have the two days overlapped? Here's what to know.

Donald Trump, who overcame impeachments, criminal indictments and a pair of assassination attempts to win another term in the White House, is set to be sworn in as the 47th U.S. president.