The United States Honors the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrates King's birthday, honors his legacy and highlights civil rights. King is murdered in April 1968 on a motel balcony in Memphis. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill marking the third Monday in January of each year of January as the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, thus becoming the first federal holiday devoted to an African-American.

Special Report: 1968 – The Year That Transformed America

. More: From childhood to his last days, King pursued equality

Honor: 10 indispensable ways to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.

What is open and what is closed on MLK day?

As Monday is a public holiday, most schools, banks and post offices will be closed. Most grocery stores, restaurants and retail stores will be open. In Atlanta, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park was closed due to the partial closure of the government, but a grant from the Delta Air Lines Foundation will open the park until February 3. The park includes King's birthplace, the Ebenezer Baptist Church. where King was a co-pastor, fire station No. 6 and a reception center. Here is an overview of the openings and closures on Monday.

Why Monday could be the most depressing day of the year

The third Monday in January is supposed to be the darkest day of the year, according to a British researcher who created an equation mathematical for what he called blue monday. Its calculation is based on weather conditions, debt levels, the time since Christmas and the time elapsed since the failure of our New Year's resolutions. But, validly from the equation is debatable. Isabella Goldie, a mental health expert, says that depression can not be calculated and that the Blue Monday concept is largely a public relations cascade used to sell advertised items for the purpose of improving well-being.

NYC Becomes a Little Less Expensive

The city of New York attracts visitors for countless reasons, but the price does not go down. in fact usually not part of it. Starting Monday, the city will be at its lowest price thanks to a new initiative called NYC Winter Outing organized by the Tourism Marketing Association, NYC & Company. For the first time NY Restaurant Restaurant, NYC Broadway Week and NYC Must-See Week will take place at the same time. This will result in some of the lowest hotel rates of the year, shops, theaters, restaurants and attractions. Here's how to take advantage of the offers.