Johnson County offices closed Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. In observance of this federal holiday, Johnson County Government offices will be closed.
Additionally, all Johnson County library branches, the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Johnson County Museum and Ernie Miller Nature Center will be closed.
The City of Gardner will host its annual educational exhibit to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, Jan. 17, Saturday, Jan. 18, and Monday, Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 120 E. Main St.
You can also make a trip to the City of Overland Park’s Strang Park, which features inspiring words throughout the park from MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The park, located at 88th and Farley, is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The MLK holiday is always near his birthday, which was Jan. 15, 1929. MLK Day annually celebrates the legacy of the civil rights leader, who dedicated his life to the nonviolent struggle for equal justice. His efforts led to the signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
MLK visited the Kansas City metro at least six times, including stops at Sumner High School and Municipal Auditorium. He also spoke at Kansas State University in 1968, less than four months before his assassination.
If you’d like to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, check out the Johnson County Library’s MLK Day reading list.