Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy were honored by the Auburndale Fire Department and communities across the nation. The first official Martin Luther King Jr. Day was held on January 20, 1986. Congress recognized the holiday as a National Day of Service in 1994, and it is commemorated annually on the third Monday of January. Department officials stated that the day is an opportunity to focus on Dr. King's teachings of equality, service, and unity. Many communities commemorate the occasion with volunteer initiatives and acts of service that benefit their neighbors in need.