HISTORY This Week: The Hit Song that Gave Us MLK Day

Episode Release Date: January 20, 2025
Host: Sally Helm
Produced by: Back Pocket Studios in partnership with the History Channel

Introduction

In this compelling episode of HISTORY This Week, host Sally Helm delves into the pivotal moment that led to the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday. Titled “The Hit Song that Gave Us MLK Day,” the episode explores the intersection of music, activism, and politics, highlighting how a legendary hit song played a crucial role in realizing Dr. King's legacy in American society.

The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Timestamp [03:04]

Sally Helm opens the narrative on January 15, 1969, marking what would have been Dr. King's 40th birthday. She sets the scene at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, overflowing with mourners mourning King's assassination nine months prior. Ralph Abernathy, a close friend of King, addresses the crowd, reinforcing King's enduring message of nonviolence:

Ralph Abernathy [03:58]: “So we say to the nation today. Martin, let James Earl Ray or whoever was responsible for taking your life, let him live.”

Abernathy emphasizes that King’s memory will persist globally, underscoring the community's resolve to honor his contributions.

Sally continues by introducing Coretta Scott King, Dr. King's widow, who announces the formation of a new organization dedicated to perpetuating her husband's vision:

Coretta Scott King [04:46]: “It is a realistic attempt to carry on an idealist fight, the fight for which my husband lived and died.”

Early Efforts to Establish MLK Day

Timestamp [04:55]

Sally Helm reflects on the natural inclination to commemorate King's birthday annually. However, she highlights the significant challenges faced in making MLK Day a federal holiday. Michigan Congressman John Conyers emerges as a key figure advocating for the holiday:

John Conyers [05:31]: “We ask the Congress to do no more than set aside one day out of the year so that we can, with everyone around the world, say we recognize that great spirit that has walked among us.”

Despite Conyers' persistent efforts, the bill encounters staunch opposition in Congress, primarily from those resistant to recognizing a private citizen with no political office.

Public Sentiment and Congressional Opposition

Timestamp [07:17]

Sally Helm provides critical context about the era's societal attitudes, revealing that by late 1960s, Dr. King faced a 75% disapproval rating according to a Harris poll. This disapproval stemmed not only from segregationists but also from individuals within the establishment uneasy with King's expanding focus on economic equality and his opposition to the Vietnam War.

Kevin Gaines, Professor of Civil Rights and Social Justice at the University of Virginia, elaborates on King's contentious stance:

Kevin Gaines [07:17]: “Dr. King alienated a lot of his supporters, but by coming out in opposition to the US War in Vietnam.”

Further complicating his legacy, Gaines notes that King's embrace of economic issues and continued advocacy made him a polarizing figure, earning him criticism from both segregationists and younger black militants advocating for black power and armed self-defense.

Stevie Wonder’s Role in Advocating for MLK Day

Timestamp [13:21]

A turning point in the struggle to establish MLK Day as a federal holiday comes with the intervention of music legend Stevie Wonder. Recalling a pivotal moment, Wonder describes a dream that inspired him to write “Happy Birthday” as a tribute to Dr. King and a campaign to institutionalize the holiday:

Stevie Wonder [13:21]: “I had a dream about this song... We're marching to make Dr. King's birthday to become a national holiday.”

This song not only became a catchy birthday anthem within the African American community but also carried a profound political message questioning the absence of a national holiday honoring a man who had died for the cause of equality and justice.

Stevie Wonder [18:46]: “How is it that we can't have a King holiday?”

Wonder’s song played a strategic role in revitalizing the movement for the holiday, blending popular culture with civil rights activism.

Political Shifts and the Passage of MLK Day

Timestamp [19:40]

Despite the initial resistance, sustained efforts led by John Conyers and the influential advocacy of Stevie Wonder eventually bore fruit. By 1983, following a significant shift in the political landscape marked by the Republican Party's losses in the midterm elections, Conyers reintroduced the bill for the 14th time. The bill passed the House of Representatives but faced hurdles in the Senate, where opposition remained strong.

During a critical Senate debate on October 18, 1983, Senator Jesse Helms, a staunch opponent, presented a 300-page dossier alleging Dr. King's communist ties. In a dramatic turn, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan vehemently dismissed Helms’ claims by throwing the binder to the ground and branding it as “filth”:

Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan [24:34]: “This is filth.”

This bold rejection of unfounded allegations paved the way for the bill's passage in the Senate with a decisive vote of 76 to 12.

Formalization and Legacy of MLK Day

Timestamp [25:33]

On November 2, 1983, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was officially signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, despite previous reservations. Coretta Scott King, standing beside Reagan, acknowledged the achievement and the enduring fight for equality:

Coretta Scott King [25:58]: “America is a more democratic nation, a more just nation, a more peaceful nation, because Martin Luther King Jr. became her preeminent non-violent commander.”

Sally Helm elaborates on the gradual acceptance of the holiday across the United States, noting that by 2023, a Pew Research poll indicated that 81% of Americans recognize King's positive impact, although some resistance persists in states like Alabama and Mississippi, where MLK Day is celebrated alongside Robert E. Lee Day.

Continued Reflections and Corporate Influence

Timestamp [29:08]

Kevin Gaines offers a nuanced perspective on the modern celebration of MLK Day, acknowledging its significance while critiquing the often sanitized corporate portrayal of King:

Kevin Gaines [29:08]: “It gives us an occasion to reflect on Dr. King's life, his legacy, his contributions to American democracy, his unfinished dream of a more just and equal world. But you know, it plays out in corporate America... [it] tends to be heavy on inspirational photos and I have a dream pull quotes light on King's solidarity with sanitation workers, his dreams of true economic equality.”

Gaines suggests that while the holiday serves as a moment of reflection, it also highlights the ongoing challenges in fully realizing King's vision for economic and social justice.

Conclusion

Sally Helm concludes the episode by emphasizing the dual legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Day—celebrating Dr. King's achievements while prompting Americans to assess the progress toward his dreams. The episode not only recounts the historical journey to formalize the holiday but also invites listeners to consider its current relevance and the continued pursuit of equality.

Notable Quotes with Attributions:

• Ralph Abernathy [03:58]: “So we say to the nation today. Martin, let James Earl Ray or whoever was responsible for taking your life, let him live.”

• John Conyers [05:31]: “We ask the Congress to do no more than set aside one day out of the year so that we can, with everyone around the world, say we recognize that great spirit that has walked among us.”

• Kevin Gaines [07:17]: “Dr. King alienated a lot of his supporters, but by coming out in opposition to the US War in Vietnam.”

• Stevie Wonder [18:46]: “How is it that we can't have a King holiday?”

• Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan [24:34]: “This is filth.”

• Coretta Scott King [25:58]: “America is a more democratic nation, a more just nation, a more peaceful nation, because Martin Luther King Jr. became her preeminent non-violent commander.”

• Kevin Gaines [29:08]: “It gives us an occasion to reflect on Dr. King's life, his legacy, his contributions to American democracy, his unfinished dream of a more just and equal world. But you know, it plays out in corporate America... ”

Credits and Acknowledgments

Special thanks to guests Kevin Gaines, Crystal Sanders, and Julian Bond, Associate Professors at the University of Virginia and Emory University. The episode was produced and sound designed by Ben Dickstein, co-produced by Samira Tazari and Sally Helm, with executive producers Eli Lehrer and Liv Fiddler from the History Channel.

For more insights and updates, visit historythisweekpodcast.com and engage with the community via email at historythisweek@history.com.

This comprehensive exploration not only narrates the challenges and triumphs in establishing MLK Day but also underscores the powerful role of cultural icons like Stevie Wonder in shaping and honoring historical milestones.