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Today is one of the most important days of the year in this country as we celebrate one of the greatest of all Americans, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

From President Obama today:

Dr. King obviously had a dream of justice and equality in our society, but he also had a dream of service, that you could be a drum major for service, that you could lead by giving back to our communities. And that's what this program is all about and that's what these participants are all about.

Michelle and I the girls are extraordinarily proud that each year on Martin Luther King's birthday this is how we celebrate, is making sure that we're giving a little something back to the community. And I hope that all the projects that are taking place all across the country on this day are getting similar attention, because this is part of what America is all about. And after a painful week where so many of us were focused on tragedy, it's good for us to remind ourselves what this country is all about. This kind of service project is what's best in us and we're thrilled with everybody who is participating.

Check out this portion of King's "The Drum Major Instinct" speech (Feb 4, 1968) where he talks about serving your community:

Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. (Amen) Say that I was a drum major for peace. (Yes) I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. (Yes) I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. (Amen) And that's all I want to say.

If I can help somebody as I pass along,

If I can cheer somebody with a word or song,

If I can show somebody he's traveling wrong,

Then my living will not be in vain.

If I can do my duty as a Christian ought,

If I can bring salvation to a world once wrought,

If I can spread the message as the master taught,

Then my living will not be in vain.

Yes, Jesus, I want to be on your right or your left side, (Yes) not for any selfish reason. I want to be on your right or your left side, not in terms of some political kingdom or ambition. But I just want to be there in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so that we can make of this old world a new world.

Dr. King was killed only a few months after this speech was made. Go here to listen to the speech in its entirety.

Four years earlier, in 1964, he was Time Magazine's "Man of the Year," (click on the image to read the article).

In 1983, Ronald Reagan signed the bill recognizing the third Monday of January as Martin Luther King day, but only reluctantly (he was initially opposed) after Congress passed the bill by a veto-proof margin. It was only officially observed in all 50 states in 2000, a mere 11 years ago:

On May 2, 2000, South Carolina governor Jim Hodges signed a bill to make Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday an official state holiday. South Carolina was the last state to recognize the day as a paid holiday for all state employees. Prior to this, employees could choose between celebrating Martin Luther King Day or one of three Confederate holidays.

Stunning, eh?

But before you leave, make sure to watch the end of Dr. King's last speech on April 3, 1968, given the night before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee -- "I've Been to the Mountaintop!." It's unbelievably prophetic.

In particular, watch at the very end when he leaves the dais and nearly collapses into the hands of his aids.

Here's a complete MP3 of this most famous speech.

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