Happy Martin Luther King Day from Mississippi

TODAY is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King . Jr . It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed on January 20, 1986. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)

 

President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a federal holiday to honor King.

The White House Rose Garden on November 2, 1983.

Happy Birthday" is a 1981 single written, produced, and performed by Stevie Wonder for the Motown label. Wonder, a social activist, was one of the main figures in the campaign to have the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. become a national holiday, and created this single to make the cause known.
The song, one of many of Wonder's songs to feature the use of a keyboard synthesizer, features Wonder lamenting the fact that anyone would oppose the idea of a Dr. King holiday, where "peace is celebrated throughout the world" and singing to King in the chorus, "Happy birthday to you". Wonder used the song to popularize the campaign, and continued his fight for the holiday, holding the Rally for Peace Press Conference in 1981.

Originally written for Itawamba County MS 12th Annual King Celebration- 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS ...from a Huge Fan In Your Hometown !

It's Elvis' Birthday Week !

Elvis fans from all over the world will be having /hosting events celebrating Elvis Presley's Birthday . I am one of those who will be celebrating ! 

The Birthplace in Tupelo held one event this past Saturday January 4th and will have another event on the actual birthday,on Wednesday, featuring various Elvis tribute artists. Festivities will start at 1pm with cake and punch! 

Everyone who knows me, knows what a huge Elvis fan I am.

They are always amused, when I frequently repeat the story of how I told my dear Hubby a few weeks after we were married that if he wanted to keep our relationship on track, there were two things that he needed to know : 

#1 I'm a star  (Hey, if I don't think it, who else will??!!!) (LOL)

#2 Elvis is still the King !  (Everyone knows that ! )

We have been married over 20 years and he faithfully remembers and repeats these facts. Sometimes, out of the blue, I will start a sentence for him to complete. While we are watching television together, I will say:

"Elvis is"... and he will dutifully chime in with "Elvis is still the King..and you are a star".  It is true that I don't particularly appreciate that monotone voice that he uses at times or that half eye roll that I seem to detect , every now and then, but that's all well and good ...as long as he KNOWS!!! LOL!!!

Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953. In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.

                                           The King 

 It is estimated that Elvis Presley has sold over one billion record units worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history. In America alone, Elvis has had over 150 different albums and singles that have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).



                                 The Birthplace 

 
Thousands of tourists and fans from all over the world come to Tupelo, MS every year to visit this two room "shotgun" house built by Elvis' father, uncle and grandfather.

Art Print available ....
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/elvis--the-birth-place-patricia-neely-dorsey.html

* Beautiful watercolor by friend Debra Estep, Ohio.

We would love to see you in Tupelo to celebrate Elvis' birthday !