Modern Era · North America · Politics

1986

MLK Day first observed

January 20, 1986

The United States observed the first federal Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday signed into law by Ronald Reagan after a fifteen-year congressional fight. Not every state initially recognized it; Arizona held out until 1992. A Black preacher assassinated in Memphis eighteen years earlier had finally entered the American civic calendar.

More from 1986 Modern Era

In context

Also in 1986 (5 other events on record)

Chernobyl meltdown · Europe · Disaster
Challenger explodes · North America · Disaster
Marcos flees Manila · Southeast Asia · Politics
Olof Palme shot in Stockholm · Europe · Politics
Duvalier flees Haiti · North America · Politics

Before and after in North America

Before: September 19, 1985: Mexico City earthquake
After: October 19, 1987: Black Monday crash

Before and after in Politics

Before: March 11, 1985: Gorbachev takes Soviet helm
After: June 12, 1987: Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate

Era

Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.