We remember Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. each January 15, which was the slain civil rights leader’s birthday. But, did you know, Illinois was the first state to recognize it as a holiday 50 ye… ...

When you lived in Galena, Illinois, you happen to reside in the first state to observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as an official holiday. It was 1973 when Illinois adopted it as a state holiday.

When you lived in Galena, Illinois, you happen to reside in the first state to observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as an official holiday. It was 1973 when Illinois adopted it as a state holiday.

Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White was one of King's proteges. ... On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, ... Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have celebrated his 96th birthday Jan. 15.

The annual day of remembrance for Martin Luther King Jr. is less than two weeks away, falling on Monday, Jan. 20, the same day as Inauguration Day this year.

But Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which former President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law in 1968.

On Sept. 17, 1973, Illinois became the first state to make Martin Luther King Day a legal holiday. Gov. Dan Walker signed two bills into law that day. That’s not unusual. Multiple signings me… ...