Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was signed into
law by former
president Ronald Reagan on
November 2, 1983, fifteen years after Dr. King's
assassination. The holiday is celebrated in the
United States every year on the third
Monday of
January. On this day,
federal buildings,
banks, post offices, and most schools close in his
honor. The first
national celebration of this holiday was held on
January 20, 1986. Each year it has a different
theme, promoting the
equality and non-discrimination
ideals that were at the heart of Dr. King's cause.
The bill proposed to make a holiday in Dr. King's honor wasn't supported by everyone, though. It did pass the House of Representatives by a vote of 338 to 90. Then went on to the Senate where it also passed. Although, one senator from Georgia opposed the bill and said that Dr. King was a communist.
Source:
http://www.holidays.net/mlk/holiday.htm