January 2025 Observances

Martin Luther King Jr. – January 20
International Holocaust Remembrance Day – January 27
2025 Lunar New Year – January 29 – February 12

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 20
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (often called MLK Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday of January to celebrate Dr. King’s birthday (born January 15, 1929). Officially beginning in 1986, MLK Day is a time we pause to reflect on the remarkable life and enduring impact of a man who changed the course of history. Dr. King’s commitment to justice, equality, and nonviolence challenged us to confront the injustices of his time and continues to inspire us today.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (“The King Center”),  established in 1968 by Dr. King’s wife, Coretta Scott King theme for our 2025 MLK Day is “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365” As we remember Dr. King’s powerful words and courageous actions, we are reminded that the work Dr. King started is far from over. His dream of a world where all people are judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin, is a vision we must strive toward in our lives.

MLK Day is a time of reflection and a call to action. Through small acts of kindness, standing up against inequality, or advocating for those whose voices are often unheard, we can each contribute to realizing Dr. King’s dream.

Let us use this day to renew our commitment to justice, embrace the principles of love and nonviolence, and work together to build a world where freedom and opportunity are genuinely available to all. For more information on celebrations and tributes around New York City to Dr. King and his legacy, visit New York Family.com. 

“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: January 27

International Holocaust Remembrance Day was established by the United Nations (UN) as an international memorial day held on January 27 to pause and honor the memory of the six million Jewish men, women, and children who perished during one of the darkest chapters in human history. We remember not only those lost but also the countless others affected by the atrocities of the Holocaust—survivors, families, and communities that were forever changed.

This day is a solemn reminder of the dangers of hatred, intolerance, and prejudice. It calls on us to reflect on the past and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. We must remember the victims and the lessons of resilience, hope, and humanity that emerged in the face of unimaginable suffering.

Holocaust Remembrance Day is not just about remembering the past—it is a call to action. It is a day to stand against all forms of hatred and discrimination and to work towards a future where such horrors can never again take place. As we reflect on the lives lost and the survivors who continue to share their stories, let us recommit ourselves to building a world of understanding, compassion, and justice.

Join ALANYC’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion team as we host our Explore New York with ALANYC program with a visit to The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust on Sunday, January 26, at noon. 

“Never forget. Never again.”

2025 Lunar New Year: January 29 – February 12

Lunar New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most important holiday in China and Asian communities around the world. It is not only celebrated in China but also Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. The two-week celebration includes family and friends, feasting and fireworks, parties and parades with  traditions such as cleaning, shopping, giving red envelopes, family dinners and a Lantern Festival.

For more than 3,000 years, Lunar New Year is the beginning of a new year in the Chinese calendar. The historic Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning dates are determined by both the moon (lunar) and the sun (solar). Months begin with every new moon when the moon is not visible in the night sky. The new year starts on the new moon nearest the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, sometime between January 21 and February 20.

According to China Highlights, the 2025 Lunar New Year Chinese New Year is January 28, the public holiday is January 29 – February 3, and the Lantern Festival is February 12.

As in Asian customs, each year is associated with an animal from the Chinese zodiac, such as the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The animal sign is based on the year someone was born. 2025 is the year of the Snake, symbolizing wisdom, transformation, calmness, and creativity.  

ALANYC’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion team hosted an Explore New York with ALANYC outing on January 12, where we visited the Museum of Chinese in America with an educational session and walking tour in Chinatown led by Chloe Chan, co-founder of The Mott Street Girls. The day was filled with taking us through Chinese American history and conducting a brief walking tour of Chinatown.  We ended our day with lunch at Uncle Lou’s, a Chinatown staple where we enjoy Cantonese food in a family-style setting and discussed our takeaways from the informative day. 

For additional Lunar New Year activities in New York City, visit Secret NYC; I Love NY, or TimeOut New York. 

ALANYC wishes all those who are a part of the Asian community a Happy and healthy Lunar New Year!