The History of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

By JNewby

  • MLK Jr. assassinated

    Martin Luther King, Jr. assassinated; Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., introduces legislation for federal holiday to commemorate King

  • Illinois is first state to adopt MLK Day as a state holiday

  • Legislation creating MLK Jr. Day

    Congress passes, President Reagan signs, legislation creating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

  • Federal MLK holiday goes into effect

  • Boycott of the state

    Arizona governor Evan Mecham rescinds MLK Day as his first act in office, setting off a boycott of the state.

  • State MLK holiday adopted in 44 states

  • Superbowl site moved

    The NFL moves the 1993 Super Bowl site from Phoenix, Ariz., to Pasadena, Calif., because of the MLK Day boycott.

  • Superbowl is held in Tempe, Ariz.

    Arizona citizens vote to enact MLK Day. The Super Bowl is held in Tempe, Ariz. in 1996.

  • MLK Day is held in some form

    For the first time, MLK Day is held in some form, sometimes under a different name, and not always as a paid state holiday in all fifty states.

  • Last state to adopt MLK Day

    New Hampshire becomes the last state to adopt MLK Day as a paid state holiday, replacing its optional Civil Rights Day.

  • Last state to recognize MLK Day by name

    Utah becomes the last state to recognize MLK Day by name, renaming its Human Rights Day state holiday.