January 15, 2012 marks what would have been the 83rd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and there are many MLK Day of Service activities scheduled all weekend. Monday January 16, 2012 is a federal holiday, with schools, federal offices, post offices and banks closed to honor the human rights icon.
The first national celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday took place January 20, 1986 and is observed on the third Monday of January each year.
The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. The MLKDay.gov site describes this day as "a call for Americans to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems." For many, it's not a "day off" but a "day on" to give back. (continue reading below)
MLK.gov is a portal that gives access to a wide variety of volunteering events that are going on not only on Martin Luther King Day, January 16, 2012, but during the entire weekend preceding the holiday. Many call this "King Weekend".
Free Admission to National Parks during 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
Whether you live here in Rhode Island or any other state, take part in the King Day of Service 2012 by registering for one of many volunteer programs available to honor Martin Luther King.
Free Martin Luther King Day 2012 printables, coloring pages, lesson plans
