![]() ![]() Why has there never been a holiday Where peace is celebrated All throughout the world The time is overdue For people like me and you Who know the way to truth Is love and unity to all God's childrenĪfter years of performing 'Happy Birthday,' rallying, and raising support for the push to make MLK Day a national holiday, reluctant President Ronald Reagan, who initially preached opposition to the bill, signed the bill into law in November of 1983 after the bill passed 78 to 22 in the Senate. ![]() You know it doesn't make much sense There ought to be a law against Anyone who takes offense At a day in your celebration 'cause we all know in our minds That there ought to be a time That we can set aside To show just how much we love you And I'm sure you would agree What could fit more perfectly Than to have a world party on the day you came to be …. 'Happy Birthday' rings with Wonder lamenting that anyone would oppose King's birthday becoming a national holiday. and a passage encouraging fans to support the holiday bill. The song became the centerpiece of Wonder's album 'Hotter Than July.' The record's vinyl sleeve design featured a large photograph of MLK Jr. In support of the push to make Martin Luther King Jr's birthday a national holiday, Stevie Wonder composed his ground-breaking song, 'Happy Birthday,' celebrating King's life. Over the next few decades, Wonder would put his career on hold, leading coast-to-coast rallies and inspiring hundreds of thousands of Americans to join his efforts in getting Martin Luther King Jr the recognition and respect he deserved. Conyers had just introduced a bill to honor King and his legacy by making his birthday a national holiday. Wonder's journey of overcoming the resistance of conservative politicians and citizens began that day as he joined his local representative John Conyers at King's funeral. The teen music sensation was in shock, having experienced first-hand the vileness of segregation and racism. ![]() On April 9th, 1968, Stevie Wonder flew to Atlanta for Martin Luther Jr.'s funeral, joining tens of thousands of people, including Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Harry Belafonte, and a long list of civil rights leaders and politicians. ![]()
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