A Day of Service to Honor Martin Luther King Jr., in Photos

In 1994, eight years after Americans celebrated the first Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Congress made the annual federal holiday more than just a break from work. The holiday officially became a national day of service. “A day on, not a day off” is the official motto.

Congress tasked the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that helps lead service, volunteering and grant-making efforts, with making the day of service a reality.

Each year, the agency and the King Center in Atlanta join nonprofit organizations, other government agencies and faith-based and community groups to coordinate projects across the U.S.

Here’s a look at how some people celebrated the day, observed on the third Monday in January, over the years.