Martin Luther King Jr. Day serves as a reminder not only of the man, but also of his mission. He stood for advances in civil rights, nonviolent resistance, and a dream of racial harmony. In 1983, the third Monday of January was made a federal holiday to mark his birthday, which was on January 15. It"s the only federal holiday that"s designated as a national day of service and the "day on, not a day off" continues to inspire unity, progress, and the ongoing struggle for equality.