![]() ![]() Also, despite being signed into law in 1983, the federal government first celebrated King Day on Monday, January 20, 1986. Sometimes it even falls on his actual birthday of January 15. Regardless of the day off or on, it is a federal holiday and federal employees do not work on King Day, which is usually the third Monday of January. Some, however, do offer it as a floating holiday for employees. In fact, fewer than 50% of American companies recognize King Day. (New Hampshire was the last, in 1999, using it to replace Civil Rights Day.) Yet, it’s 2023 and not all companies are in compliance, though those same companies often happily release Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas as non negotiable holidays. However, by the year 2000, all states were in compliance. And to this day, many companies still won’t allow their employees to have the day to volunteer for the King Day of Service or to volunteer. Though the vote passed, some states - and many companies - still refused to honor Dr. Let’s consider the second and third sections of the song: On October 19, 1983, the bill passed Senate and on November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed it into law. The naysayers were ready to vote it down except their plan to use FBI files against King’s memory fell flat. ![]() King’s legendary “I Have A Dream” speech, the anniversary of March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and the 15th anniversary of King’s assassination, it finally happened. Then, in 1983, after the 20th anniversary of the Dr. ![]() M.L.K Gala at The Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta Georgia, Janu(Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images Getty Images Holland-Dozier-Holland indie rock Jackson 5 Jam bands James Brown Jay-Z jazz Jimi Hendrix Joel Francis Joe Strummer John Coltrane John Lennon Johnny Cash Kansas City Kanye West Louis Armstrong Marvin Gaye Michael Jackson Miles Davis Motown music Neil Young Norman Whitfield Paul McCartney Peter Gabriel Pink Floyd Prince Public Enemy punk punk music R.E.M.ATLANTA JANUARY 01: Martin Luther King III, Stevie Wonder and Coretta Scott King backstage during. Search for: Archives Archives Tags: alt-country Americana Back To Rockville Beatles Berry Gordy blues music Bob Dylan Bob Marley Brian Eno Bruce Springsteen country music David Ruffin Diana Ross Elvis Costello Elvis Presley Flaming Lips folk music Four Tops Funk Brothers George Clinton George Harrison Gladys Knight hip hop Hitsville U.S.A. Then again, more people are probably familiar with “Higher Ground.” And Stevie Wonder never met my dad. In a day rife with symbolism and historic importance, the significance of performing “Happy Birthday” would have been amazing. It was a touch disappointing to watch Wonder elect to perform “Higher Ground” at the “We Are One” concert that took place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Wonder also understands that birthdays are about parties, so his homage to King is as much a celebration of life as a remembrance. The synthesizers and drums may be dated, but the lyrics and sentiment capture the hope and love as well as U2’s more famous tribute. The grim photos – which include depictions white police officers attacking black protesters – stand in contrast to the buoyant melody of the song. Wonder’s essay is accompanied by photos of King and the Civil Rights movement. We in the United States must not forget either his supreme sacrifice or that dream.” We still have a long road to travel until we reach the world that was his dream. He showed us, non-violently, a better way of life, a way of mutual respect, helping us to avoid much bitter confrontation and inevitable bloodshed. Martin Luther King was a man who had that strength. For nearly two thousand years now we have been striving to have the strength to follow that example. Jesus Christ by his own example showed us that there is no greater love. “It is believed that for a man to lay down his life for the love of others is the supreme sacrifice. Wonder performed the song at the Rally For Peace press conference in 1981, and wrote an essay about King that appeared on the album liner sleeve. The song was a rallying point in the fight to establish King’s birthday as a holiday. King’s birthday was not a national holiday when Wonder penned this tribute. Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” is the perfect salute to these days, but it means even more this year, on the eve of Barack Obama’s inauguration. Most of the time, the extra day off works means we celebrate a bit longer. ![]() Every few years, the calendar aligns so that my dad’s birthday lands on Martin Luther King Day. ![]()
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