Happy Birthday to Rev Dr. Martin Luther King

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have turned 81 on January 15, 2010. Our nation honors our most prominent civil rights leaders every year on his birthday (observing the following Monday), making sure his “Dream” of service and equality for all races and creeds lives on.

What are you doing today to keep the dream alive?

Born January 15, 1929, Dr. King was an advocate for civil rights and equality, not only for African Americans, but also for all races and ethnicities. As a prominent leader in the civil rights movement in America during the 1960s, Dr. King lead the famous Montgomery Alabama Bus Boycott Movement, helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and then went on to lead the “March on Washington” where he delivered the world famous, “I Have a Dream” speech. Dr. King continued to be a peaceful warrior in fighting for equal rights until his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. His memory was finally honored with a national holiday in 1986.

People of all races, religions, ethnicities and creeds can benefit from the message he instilled in his listeners. We are all taught about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life as children; however, I encourage everyone to partake in an activity on this day to commemorate his life and message.

Below is a Happy Birthday song by Stevie Wonder! When I was younger I didn't understand the lyrics to this song. I just thought it was a Happy Birthday song... Now that I am older, I can appreciate the lyrics.  Happy Birthday Rev Dr. Martin Luther King!