Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The close calls coincide with a shortage of air traffic controllers that has delayed flights and raised safety concerns across the United States. The FAA in October opened an audit into runway incursion risks at the 45 busiest U.S. airports after a series of near-miss incidents.

An aircraft is down in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, authorities said after a suspected collision late Wednesday. It was not immediately clear if there are fatalities. Video circulating on X appeared to show a midair collision.

There have been a number of close calls around the country in recent years that concerned aviation experts and officials.

A regional passenger jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter late Wednesday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, sparking a massive nighttime rescue operation in the icy Potomac River. The crash is being described as the most serious aviation disaster on U.

The mood at Reagan National Airport is somber following a devastating plane crash near Washington, DC, hours ago. Family members of likely victims are waiting anxiously for answers as first responders continue their search-and-rescue efforts. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day .