On the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this week, a national news program announced that an MLK recording has been newly uncovered.
Brian DeShazor, director of the Pacifica Radio Archives, discovered the recorded speech, originally delivered on Dec. 7, 1964, in London.
King’s London appearance was just days before he received the Nobel Prize in Oslo.
His empassioned speech was on segregation, the fight for civil rights and his support for Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.
Democracy Now! published a transcript and video clip online at bit.ly/mlk_discovery.
During Monday’s day-long celebration of King’s work, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) stated, “As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., may his example and vision challenge all of us to pursue efforts that help strengthen our country, lend support for those in need and provide every citizen with the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.”
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) also issued the following statement on Monday, Jan. 18: “Americans today celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man who changed our nation forever. I remember standing on the National Mall listening to Dr. King speak of his dream of children not being judged ‘by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.’ Today is about more than a history lesson — we must also understand the importance of fulfilling Dr. King’s dream by working to improve schools in every neighborhood and creating an environment that gives hope for every American to have the opportunity to achieve the American dream.”
