MLK Day 2021: What's Open, Closed In Newton

NEWTON, MA — Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, Jan. 18 this year, and a variety of services will be closed in town on the day.

King’s birthday is Jan. 15, but the federal holiday celebrating the civil rights leader is observed on the third Monday of January each year.

The history of the MLK holiday in America is a complicated one.

Almost immediately after King’s assassination in 1968, activists began pushing for a holiday celebrating his Jan. 15 birthday. However, the official national holiday wasn’t signed into law until 1983 by President Ronald Reagan.

The first federal MLK Day was observed on the third Monday of January in 1986, but many states held out. Arizona didn’t recognize the day until 1992, when the state lost its rights to host the Super Bowl after voters in Arizona failed to make the day a paid holiday.

The last state to adopt the holiday? New Hampshire, in 1999.

Newton has long celebrated King's legacy. This year, will be Newton's 53rd Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration, hosted by the Harmony Foundation.

The theme for 2021, in the words of the Reverend King will be: "Keep Moving Forward." The event will be virtual, but will include musical selections, a reflection and sermon led by Newton Interfaith Clergy Association's Reverend Devlin Scott and Rabbi Allison Berry, a Social Justice Roundtable featuring some of Newton's key players, an NPS Student Voices Montage, and a "Spotlight" featuring Myrtle Baptist Church. Register for the webinar here.

Here’s a breakdown of how the holiday could impact your routine.

• Town Offices: Closed

• Public Schools: Closed

• Public Libraries: Closed.

• Post Offices: Closed, No Mail Delivery
  • UPS: Regular service
  • FedEx: Regular service

• Courts: Closed

Transportation:

• While most MBTA subway lines will operate on a Saturday schedule, the commuter rail is running on a regular schedule. Holiday MBTA Service Schedules

Trash and recycling:

• Delayed by one day.

Looking to volunteer on the Day Of Service?

MLK Day Service Projects: How To Help In Newton