Many government offices and services across Northeast Ohio are closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including city offices, courts, banks, and post offices. Some essential services, such as trash pickup, may continue as scheduled depending on the community.

While offices are closed, several local attractions are offering free admission to encourage learning and reflection. The Akron Zoo, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Akron Children’s Museum are all welcoming visitors at no cost as part of MLK Day programming.

Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, communities pause to honor a leader whose vision of justice, unity, and service continues to shape the nation. Dr. King believed that “everybody can be great…because anybody can serve,” a message that remains central to how the day is observed.

As part of that spirit, America250 is encouraging Americans to honor Dr. King’s legacy through action. From volunteering at a local food bank to organizing neighborhood cleanups or lending a helping hand, acts of service, big or small, help build stronger, more connected communities. Through its America Gives initiative, people can find local volunteer opportunities and take part in what organizers call the largest service effort in American history.

MLK Day is also a moment to inspire the next generation. America’s Field Trip, another America250 initiative, invites students in grades 3 through 12 to share what America means to them through writing or artwork. Selected students will earn trips to historic landmarks or cash prizes.

Whether through service, education, or reflection, today’s observance encourages people to honor Dr. King’s dream not just with words, but with actions that uplift others and move communities forward.