Today is Martin Luther King Day, the national holiday that honors the birthday of the great civil rights activist (which actually passed on January 15th). From the 1954 Montgomery bus boycott to his death in 1968, Dr. King galvanized millions of Americans to fight for justice as the most prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement. His murder was a tragedy that shocked the conscience of the United States, but his dedication to freedom, justice and equality—and his commitment to non-violence—continue to inspire millions of people around the world to this day.
Stevie Wonder was one of many people who demonstrated the power of Dr. King’s legacy during last year’s 50th-anniversary celebration when he put out star-studded video honoring the civil rights champion. Titled “The Dream Still Lives,” the five-minute piece features appearances by Barack and Michelle Obama, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Common, Dave Matthews, SZA, Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie, and countless other famous actors, musicians, businesspeople, and more.
After some opening remarks from Wonder—“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s teachings and works have led me and the world to give peace a chance. Although Dr. King left us 50 years ago, his dream is still within all of us”—the video gives each star a moment to explain a dream of their own.
The Dream Still Lives
[Video: Stevie Wonder]
Previously, in 1981, Stevie Wonder was integral in helping get Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday confirmed as a national holiday with his single “Happy Birthday”, which brought the issue to the forefront of popular attention. Watch Wonder perform his MLK-honoring “Happy Birthday” below:
Stevie Wonder – “Happy Birthday”
[Video: Aldo Grandjean]
[Originally published 1/21/18]