Q COSTARICA — The U.S. Embassy and Consular Section will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Alabama, Georgia. For this reason, the U.S. Congress designated the third Monday of January as a day to honor him and remember his work in promoting equality and nonviolence.
Dr. King’s leadership during the civil rights movement transformed the United States by challenging systemic racism and advocating for nonviolent protest. His speeches, especially the iconic “I Have a Dream” address delivered at the 1963 March on Washington, painted a picture of a future where people would be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. That dream, though not fully realized, continues to inspire activists and everyday citizens alike.
The federal holiday was signed into law in 1983, nearly 15 years after King’s assassination in 1968.
The U.S. Embassy in San José will reopen to the public on Tuesday, January 20, during its regular hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.