Martin Luther King Jr. Day images, wishes and greeting cards
Martin Luther King Jr. Day honours the civil rights leader, a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday of January near his January 15 birthday. Choose a design, add your name and message, and download it free.
When: The third Monday of January in the United States. Dr King was born on January 15, 1929.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day greeting images (9 designs)
Golden glowRemembering Dr King today
Pattern panelI have a dream
Night skylineJustice, peace and equality
Bokeh lightsLove is stronger than hate
Mandala circleHonouring Martin Luther King Jr.
Classic frameServe others, build the dream
Wishes for familyHappy MLK Day to my dear family! Let us teach our children Dr King’s lessons of love, c…
Blessings for loved onesDear Mom and Dad, thank you for teaching me to treat everyone with respect. Remembering…
Heartfelt messageOn this MLK Day, we honour Dr King’s dream of equality, justice and peace for all people.Tap a design to personalise it and download.
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Dates for 2026 and 2027
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, January 19, 2026 | Fixed date |
| 2027 | Monday, January 18, 2027 | Fixed date |
- The US holiday on the third Monday of January. Dr King’s birthday is January 15.
Dates last checked on 2026-10-21. See the full 2027 festival calendar.
About Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. A Baptist minister, he became the best-known leader of the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, using non-violent protest inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and his Christian faith to oppose racial segregation and injustice. He led the Montgomery bus boycott, helped organise the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a US federal holiday in 1986 and is observed on the third Monday of January. It is also a national day of service, when many Americans volunteer in their communities. The day is marked with parades, speeches, church services and readings of his words about justice, equality and peace.
How Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated
- Volunteering in the community as part of the national Day of Service.
- Attending parades, speeches, services and memorial events.
- Reading or listening to “I Have a Dream” and other speeches.
- Teaching children about civil rights and equality.
- Reflecting on his message of non-violence and justice.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day wishes for family
Heartfelt messages for parents, siblings, spouses, children and relatives. Copy one, or open a message card above to edit it and download it as an image.
- Happy MLK Day to my dear family! Let us teach our children Dr King’s lessons of love, courage and equality.
- Dear Mom and Dad, thank you for teaching me to treat everyone with respect. Remembering Dr King with you today.
- To my brothers and sisters: let us serve our community together on this Day of Service.
- To my beloved spouse, may we always stand for justice and kindness in our home and our community.
- To my children: Dr King had a dream that all people would be treated equally. Keep that dream alive. Happy MLK Day.
- Wishing all our relatives a meaningful MLK Day. May we continue to work for a fair and peaceful world.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day wishes and messages
Copy a message to send with your image, or use it as a caption.
- On this MLK Day, we honour Dr King’s dream of equality, justice and peace for all people.
- May we carry Dr King’s message of love and non-violence into everything we do. Wishing you a meaningful MLK Day.
- Today we remember a man who dreamed of a better world and gave his life for it. Happy MLK Day.
- Let us celebrate this day by serving others and standing for fairness and dignity.
- Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Remembering Dr King today.
- Wishing you a thoughtful Martin Luther King Jr. Day. May we keep his dream alive.
Frequently asked questions
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2026?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2026 is on Monday, January 19, 2026. The US holiday on the third Monday of January. Dr King’s birthday is January 15.
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2027?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2027 is on Monday, January 18, 2027. The US holiday on the third Monday of January. Dr King’s birthday is January 15.
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
It is observed on the third Monday of January in the United States. Dr King was born on January 15, 1929, so the holiday falls between January 15 and 21.
Why is MLK Day a day of service?
In 1994 Congress designated the holiday a national Day of Service, encouraging Americans to volunteer in honour of Dr King’s commitment to helping others.
What was the “I Have a Dream” speech?
It was a speech Dr King gave on August 28, 1963, at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, calling for an end to racism and for equality and justice.
