New Jersey is observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day on today, Monday, joining the rest of the nation in honoring the civil rights leader’s legacy. As a federal and state holiday, the observance brings widespread closures across government offices and financial institutions, while most retail and service businesses remain open.
All federal, state, county and local government offices in New Jersey are closed for the holiday, including agencies operated by the state Motor Vehicle Commission. MVC licensing centers, inspection stations and road test sites are not operating.
Mail delivery is also suspended. The United States Postal Service is closed, with no regular residential or business delivery. UPS has curtailed most services for the day, while FedEx remains open with limited or modified schedules depending on service type.
Most public schools, as well as colleges and universities across the state, are closed in observance of the holiday.
The financial sector is also largely paused. Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed. Major banks, including national and regional branches, are not open for in-person services, though ATMs and online banking platforms remain available.
Despite the closures elsewhere, most retail and dining establishments are operating as usual. Grocery stores, pharmacies, shopping centers and restaurants remain open, and large retailers such as Walmart and Target are maintaining regular hours.
Public transportation continues to run with adjustments. NJ Transit and local bus services may be operating on modified or enhanced weekend schedules, and riders are advised to check individual routes before traveling.
From Assassination to National Holiday
The path to establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday took nearly two decades and began shortly after King’s assassination in 1968. The first legislation proposing the holiday was introduced by Rep. John Conyers, but it faced years of resistance in Congress.
Momentum grew in the early 1980s, driven by public advocacy from Coretta Scott King and increased national attention, including the release of a song written to promote recognition of the holiday.
President Ronald Reagan signed the legislation into law in November 1983, and the first nationwide observance took place in January 1986. By 2000, all 50 states were officially recognizing the holiday.
Today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also designated as a National Day of Service, encouraging Americans to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy through volunteer work and community engagement rather than treating the day solely as a day off.