The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered as one of the greatest African-American leaders in American history.

As we officially commemorate his extraordinary life on this holiday that bears his name, we must never forget that he sacrificed his life to the cause of equality for all people.

Dr. King was a pastor, activist, and humanitarian. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violence resistance to racial prejudice. And, at 35 years of age, he was the youngest person ever to receive the prestigious award.

This year the 30^th Annual St. Petersburg MLK parade will take place starting at 11am. The route begins at 3^rd Avenue, S. and MLK, Jr. Street and proceeds north to Central Avenue, east to Bayshore Drive and north to 5^th Avenue, N.

Books of Interest

• Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story. A memoir written by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Parting the Waters–America in the King Years 1954-1963 by Taylor Branch
• I Have a Dream (Book and CD) – Amazon.com
• A Call To Conscience – Landmark Speeches by Dr. Martin Luther Kings, Jr./ Kris Shepard, Editor

For children:

• As Good as Anybody by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Raul Colón (Age 5-9)
• Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier (Age 5-9)
• Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? by Bonnie Bader, illustrated by Nancy Harrison (Age 8-12).

Must see movie: SELMA. This film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.