Remembering The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today (January 19), America celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 — April 4, 1968). One of the most important figures in the Civil Rights Movement and U.S. history, today MLK is more significant than ever. Tomorrow, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States and the first African American to hold the highest elected office in this country. Dr. King with his dreams of racial equality, diversity and non-violence helped pave the way for Obama and African Americans nationwide.

As we celebrate King’s vision coming to life and the Inauguration of President Elect Obama, here are some moments in history, music and culture that helped keep the dream alive.

Gandhi, the former political and spiritual leader of India, helped inspire MLK with his non-violence resistance philosophy. His words about change influenced Obama’s Presidential campaign slogan.

In 1963, King was one of the leaders of The March on Washington. There he delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech which is a prophecy for the year 2008 when Obama wins the Presidency.

On October 14, 1964 King became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize which he received for leading the non-violent resistance movement to end racial prejudice in the U.S.

Stevie Wonder releases Hotter Than July in 1980 which included the song “Happy Birthday” a dedication to MLK. The song becomes an anthem with African Americans.

Coretta Scott King established The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Change in the basement of the couples home a year after MLK’s assassination. In 1981, a multi-million dollar facility was opened on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta near King’s birthplace and Ebenezer Baptist Church (where King was a minister from 1960 until his death).

After several attempts to get MLK’s birthday recognized as a legal holiday, The King Center helped rally and six million signatures were sent in a petition to Congress to pass a law. On November 2, 1983 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating King’s birthday as a Federal holiday. It was first celebrated on January 20, 1985.

In 2001, actor Jeffrey Wright portrays King in the HBO film Boycott (which is now available on DVD).