Dragon Boat Racing

Stamps Classification : Malaysia IDBF Club Crew World Championship Stamp; Malaysia Dragon Boat Racing Stamp, Malaysia Sport Stamp

IDBF Club Crew World Championship 2008

Denomination : 30sen

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm






IDBF Club Crew World Championship 2008

Denomination : 50sen

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm






IDBF Club Crew World Championship 2008

Denomination : RM1

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm






IDBF Club Crew World Championship 2008

Denomination : RM2






Miniature Sheet : IDBF Club Crew World Championship 2008

Denomination : RM2

Dragon boat racing is a team sport that originates from China. The dragon boat is a long and narrow boat that combines the power, speed and endurance of 12 or 20 crew members in each team. During racing events, the dragon boats are always rigged with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails and carry a large drum on board. At other times, the decorative regalia are usually removed, although the drum often remains aboard fro training purposes.

The tradition of dragon boat racing in Penang, Malaysia can be traced back to 1934 when “unofficial” races were staged by teams from communities living at the waterfront.. The first Penang International Dragon Boat Festival (PIDBF) race was held in 1979 with local teams racing against teams from Hong Kong and Singapore. Since then, 28 PIDBF racing events have been staged in Penang successfully.

Penang’s bid to host the 6th IDBF Club Crew World Championship 2008 (CCWC) was approved at the 10th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Congress on 5th August 2005 in Berlin, Germany. This year, the Pearl of the Orient host the biggest dragon boat racing events ever staged in South-East Asia – the first Asian Club Crew World Championship and the 8th Asian Dragon Boat Championships simultaneously at a scenic and beautiful fresh water reservoir, the Teluk Bahang Dam.

For this stamp issue, there are 3 designs of stamps and Miniature Sheet which portray the dragon boat race as a sport that promotes positive values including teamwork and friendship. Members from each team can be seen to be full of concentration at the respective roles; paddlers rowing hard to a synchronized drumbeat by a drummer and the steerer at the rear of the boat controlling the direction of the boat. Dragon Boat racing is an ancient traditional sport which is now shared and enjoyed by people all over the world.

Malaysia Scouts Association Stamp

Map Reading

Denomination : 30sen

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm






Water Activities

Denomination : 50sen

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm






Monkey Bridge

Denomination : 50sen

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm

The logo for the Scout Association of Malaysia 100th Anniversary Celebration was created based on the founding principles of the worldwide Scout Movement with the theme One World One Promise. The numeric “1” in the logo represents PPM as a distinctive movement where education and knowledge is the essence. The Scout Association of Malaysia Emblem, flanked by the World Scout Emblem and the Jalur Gemilang (National Flag) symbolizes the development of the Malaysian Scout Movement and the nation’s aspirations. The dove stands for the unity and vision of the Scout Movement in realizing the development plans of the Scout Association of Malaysia.

Scouting in Malaysia
Scouting is a popular co-curricular activity and is a form of training and education method for students. Through scouting activities, a lot can be learnt and experienced such as leadership, working in a group (patrol system), scouting skills, job-week, games and singing. The variety of scouting activities have raised great interest among members who also carry out assorted skills and knowledge tests. Those who pass the tests would be awarded proficiency badges and awards by their Scout Masters. The highest award available is the King Scout Award. The King Scout Award is endorsed by DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong and all State Rulers.

The Beginning of Scouting (1908)
Map reading is a survival and navigation skill that was introduced in scouting as early as 1908. By learning this skill, scouts are able to understand and various environments, terrains and landforms on the earth’s surface. This skill can also be practiced more effectively during journeys, expeditions and exploration activities.

Era of Growth (1957-1987)
Building and crossing a Monkey Bridge is a fun activity that builds confidence and inculcate teamwork among scouts. These scouting activities are a form of self-development program that promotes character building and leadership development.

Today’s Scout Movement (1988-2008)
Various water activities such as kayaking, swimming and diving were introduced by the Scouts Association of Malaysia through the Sea Scout Unit which has attracted a lot of public interest to join the scout movement. With proper training and exposure, scouts are more confident in water-based activities. These activities are not limited to recreational only, but also include progressive training like Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross by the Life Saving Society. The Sea Scout Unit has also formed the Life Guard and Rescue Unit pioneered by Rover Scouts.

Arachnids Stamps

Malaysia post issued a set of four stamps featuring various spiders found in the country. The spiders are Fighting Spider, Curved Spiny Spider, St Andrew’s Cross Spider, Golden Orb-web Spider some of which are poisonous also.

Thiania bhamoensis:
The species is iridescent green-blue. Females are more green, males more blue. From the front view, the female’s face are black. And the males are white.

These spiders build a silken retreat by binding a pair of green leaves together, where they rest, moult and lay their eggs, which is unusual for a jumping spider. Making a single rivet to attach the leaves takes about half an hour. About four to ten rivets are arranged in a roughly elliptical manner. These nests are built by both sexes and juveniles. Although T. bhamoensis can be found on many kinds of plants, it most often chooses Crinum asiaticum (spider lily).

Because two males will readily fight each other, either in a natural setting, or if put together, they are commonly known as “fighting spider” in South-east Asia. These spiders are commonly kept in matchboxes with a piece of green leaf and a spat of saliva for moisture. A spider that wins fight after fight gets the status of “first king”.

Gasteracantha arcuata:
Spiders of the Gasteracantha genus build vertical orb-webs with an open hub which are easily recognised. They have a hard, flat body armed with three pairs of spines on the edge of the abdomen. The spinnerets are elevated on a large projection and surrounded by a sclerotised ring-like structure.

In Singapore, the spider can be found only among tree branches on Bukit Timah Hill.

Argiope versicolor:
This species appears very similar to Argiope pulchella. Both have a pentagonal abdomen. The flat, oval, whitish egg-sac has a papery texture and is often suspended near the web. Argiope spiders make webs which are suspended vertically 1-2 metres from the ground.

The web of mature female spiders of this genus can be easily recognised by the X-shaped zigzag bands of white silk in the centre of the web.

The brilliantly coloured spider with silvery hair on the carapace sits head down in the centre of the web, and holds its legs in pairs in such a way that they appear to be aligned to the four arms of the letter ‘X’. The males are dull in colour and like the females, have the habit of pairing their legs. Their webs are, however, decorated by a lace-like centre, instead of white bands in the shape of the letter ‘X’.

Nephila maculata:
The Golden Orb Web Spider is not the largest spider, but makes the largest and strongest web. It gets its name from the golden colour of its silk.

The web can run from the top of a tree 6m high and up to 2m wide. Unlike other spider webs, the Golden Orb Web Spider’s web is not dismantled often and can last several years.
Designed to catch large flying insects, the web is slightly angled. It is not a perfect wheel and is usually off-centre. To make its web, the spider releases a thin thread into the wind. When it catches on something, the spider walks along it trailing a stronger non-sticky thread. It repeats the process in the centre of the line to form a strong Y-frame. Around this, it spins the rest of the web out of sticky capture silk.

The silk is so strong that it can trap small birds, which the spider doesn’t eat. These trapped creatures often destroy the web by thrashing around. To avoid such damage, the spider often leaves a line of insect husks on its web (like the safety strip across glass doors!); or builds smaller barrier webs around the main web.



Technical Details

Date of Issue : 7th December 2009

Stamp Value : 30 sen (2 Designs), 50 sen & RM1
Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Miniature Sheet Size : RM5 (Embossed)

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Perforation 14

Paper Watermarked SPM, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process Lithography

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn. Bhd.

WWF Mammal Weasel Marren Otter Civet Malaysia Stamp

Long-Tailed Porcupine (Trichys lipura)

The Long-Tailed Porcupine (Trichys lipura) is the smallest of the four Malaysian Porcupine species and can be mistaken at a glance for an oversized rat - until one notices the large tuft of stiff hairs at the end of its long tail. The Large Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) on the other hand is a large species growing up to 7 kg in weight. Porcupines are largely nocturnal animals and are peaceful unless provoked by a predator into using their sharp quills in self-defence. Both of these porcupines can be found throughout Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

While some of these animals, such as the Large Spotted Civets , may still be relatively common, few are privileged enough to see others like the Hairy-Nosed Otter of Yellow-Throated Marten in the wild. These mammal species are all protected by law, in order to conserve a truly worthwhile part of Malaysia's natural heritage.

Malaysia Birds of Stamp

“Sebahagian dari burung yang menawan ini adalah sukar didapati. Pos Malaysia Berhad berharap dengan gambaran burung-burung ini yang ditunjukkan dalam keluaran filateli, orang awam khususnya para pencinta burung akan dapat menikmati dan menilai kecantikan burung bermusim ini serta mendapat banyak maklumat darinya,” tambahnya lagi.

Setem bersaiz 30 mm x 40 mm ini dicetak dalam helaian yang mengandungi 20 keping setem dengan menggunakan kertas teras air bersalutkan fosfor boleh didapati dalam tiga dinominasi:

• 30 sen – Lang Lebah (Pernis Ptilorhyncus)
  Burung ini datang dari tempat pembiakannya di kawasan terpencil Siberia dan dijumpai di Sepang, Selangor, Tanjung Tuan di Melaka dan Pulau Kukup di Johor. Ia meluncur di arus udara sambil mencara sarang lebah untuk dimakan larva dan madunya.
  
  
• 50 sen - Pucung Serandau (Adrea Purpurea)
  Saiznya agak besar (yang dewasa boleh mencecah 90cm tinggi) terkenal dengan sifat pemalu dan suka memencilkan diri dan sukar dikesan dan mempunyai warna perang dan kemerahan dengan sedikit keunguan. Ia mendiami kawasan tanah basah dan paya di serata semenanjung Malaysia.
  
  
• RM 1 – Camar Kecil Berjambul (Sterna Bengalensis)
  Burung ini boleh dijumpai dipesisiran pantai di Malaysia terutamanya yang berhampiran Langkawi dan amat popular dengan aksi terbang menjunam kedalam ombak laut untuk menangkap ikan.

Burung Pekaka Belukar ialah haiwan yang tergolong dalam golongan benda hidup, alam : haiwan, filum : kordata, sub-filum : bertulang belakang (vertebrata), kelas : burung. Burung Pekaka Belukar adalah haiwan berdarah panas, mempunyai sayap dan tubuh yang diselubungi bulu pelepah. Paruh Burung Pekaka Belukar tidak bergigi.

Burung Pekaka Belukar ialah haiwan yang tergolong dalam golongan benda hidup, alam : haiwan, filum : kordata, sub-filum : bertulang belakang (vertebrata), kelas : burung. Burung Pekaka Belukar adalah haiwan berdarah panas, mempunyai sayap dan tubuh yang diselubungi bulu pelepah. Paruh Burung Pekaka Belukar tidak bergigi.

Malaysian Peacock-Pheasant

The Malaysian Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron malacense) is one of the gems of Malaysia's bird species and is now on the list as one of the of the four species special or endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. Previously widespread in Thailand and Sumatra, today they are only confined to Central Peninsular Malaysia. The Malaysian Peacock-Pheasant is medium-sized, up to 53 cm long, brownish with blue-green oceilli on its wings, back and tail. It has elongated glossy green crest and bare orange facial skin. The female is smaller and its colours duller. Due to ongoing threats of habitat loss, poaching, small population size and limited range, the Malaysian Peacock-Pheasant is now classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN List ot Threatened Species.

Milky Stork

Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) is a large wading bird of freshwater habitat, living in wetlands and wet farmlands across southern Asia. They are also found on the coast, where intertidal wetlands provide food and refuge. Milky Stork can reach a length of 97cm and has a thick, yellowish bill and blackish flight feathers. Both sexes look almost alike. this species can be found in Kampuchea, Peninsular Malaysia and most of the larger Indonesian Islands.

Malaysian Whistling Thrush

The Malaysian Whistling Thrush (Myophonus robinsoni) if one of the four endemic birds of Peninsular Malaysia. It is a rare and reclusive bird found in broadleaf evergreen forest, preferring streams as well as hills and highlands. About 26cm in size, the thrush has a small yellowish bill, bright metallic blue and black wings and body. Both sexes look alike. The resident species has also be classified by IUCN as Vulnerable.

Wreathed Hornbill

The Wreathed Hornbill (Aceros undulatus) is a colourful species of hornbill found in forests from far north-eastern India and Bhutan, east and south through mainland Southeast Asia and the Greater Sunda.

It is about 70 to 100cm in size, with both sexes looking almost alike. These birds prefer broad-leaf evergreen mixed deciduous forests and forest on islands and are found at a maximum elevation of about 1,800 metres.

This species has a large range with an estimated global Extent of Ocurrence of 1 million to 10 million km square. Globally, the Wreathed Hornbill is classified by IUCN as "Least Concern" because presently, it numbers seems to be stable.

Stem Sultan Negeri-negeri Malaysia

Stamps in honour of ruler

The first day covers and stamps to commemorate the installation of the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, will be launched today.

The commemorative stamps and first day covers launch will be held together with a royal exhibition at the Istana Lama Seri Menanti here.

The month-long exhibition, organised by the Negri Sembilan Museum Board (LMNS), will display photographs of the royal family and historical materials from the days of Tuanku Muhriz's father, the late Tuanku Munawir Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

LMNS director Shamsudin Ahmad said the stamps would be a valuable collection for local and foreign stamp enthusiasts, besides the opportunity to learn more about the royal family at the exhibition.

"This is of one of the most significant royal occasions in the state in many years.

"Visitors will get a glimpse into the life and history of Tuanku Muhriz and his family."


The exhibition will be open to the public from 9am to 6pm.


Among other events lined up for the royal celebration is a week-long handicraft carnival and exhibition of the state's history, which begins today at the Terachi Culture and Handicraft Centre, located near the palace.

Visitors and locals can also enjoy local films, including Jangan Pandang Belakang and Congkak, organised by the state National Culture and Arts Department (JKKN) and Malaysian National Film Development Corporation at the Seri Menanti field.

The screenings start from 8pm today.

State JKKN deputy director Rahmat Md Noh said today's screening would be the first of a series of programmes, including cultural performances and concerts, lined up for the royal celebration.

The istiadat bersiram (royal bathing ceremony) will be held tomorrow, where Tuanku Muhriz and his consort, Tunku Ampuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, will be carried out of the Istana Besar Seri Menanti on a takhta rencana (royal carriage).

They will be taken to the panca persada (ceremonial dais), where the royal bathing ceremony, conducted by the orang empat istana (senior ceremonial officials), will take place.

International Stamps Collector: Frogs of Malaysia Stamps

International Stamps Collector: Frogs of Malaysia Stamps: "Lesser Swamp Frog (Rana (baramica) laterimaculata) Miniature Sheet Stamp Denomination : RM1 Stamp Size : 35mm x 35mm The size of fro..."

Rumah Traditional Malaysia

The full set contains 16 different designs, each worth 50 sens. The miniature sheet must be huge in size as even the single stamps are somewhat large.

Frogs of Malaysia Stamps

Lesser Swamp Frog (Rana (baramica) laterimaculata) Miniature Sheet Stamp

Denomination : RM1

Stamp Size : 35mm x 35mm

The size of frogs from the Ranidae family is small and medium. The Lesser Swamp Frog has a pointed head and snout that project slightly from the profile while the fingers are long with slightly dilated tips. It also has small, low and rounded glandular warts on the surface of the skin and scattered oval glands at the sides.

Lesser Swamp Frogs has a thin line on the upper lip that continues towards the lower part of the eye and below the eardrum. Its dorsal colour can vary from medium reddish-brown to very dark brown while the underside is creamy coloured.

Swampy areas, primary and secondary forests are the natural habitat of this species and can be easily found in West Malaysia, Singapore and the Borneo Islands.

Spotted Tree Frog (Nyctixalus Pictus) Stamp

Denomination : 30sen
Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm

Spotted Tree Frogs is small with relatively long snout and long hind limbs. The skin on the back, head and upper surface of the limbs is rough, with many small, spiny bumps. The body is reddish cinnamon brown or pale red with white spots scattered on its back and, along the edge of the snout and even on the upper eyelid.

The upper half of the iris of the eye is white while the lower half is brown. This is one of the most distinctly coloured and cannot be mistaken for any other species. The size of Spotted Tree Frogs is almost the same with the exception of the female being slightly larger than the male.

Spotted Tree Frogs lives in primary and old secondary forests and can be found most often in hilly terrains near water areas at all parts of Borneo except for Brunei, southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and the Phillipines

Horned Toad (Megophrys nasuta) Stamp

Denomination : 30sen

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm

Megophys nasuta have specific features that are different from other types of toads. The ‘horn’ is very wide and pointed, with triangular projection from the edge of both eyelids. The hind legs are shorter than the front legs and normally males are substantially smaller than females. The colour is light clay to reddish red with one or two dark spots on the back.
Using its leaf-like appearance for camouflage, the Horned Toad is virtually undetectable in the leaf litter of the forest unless it moves. The animal is perfectly designed to fit in with its surrounding.

The Horned Toad lives in flat to steep rain forest where thick bamboo grows and the area is damp and cool. It is commonly found throughout Borneo, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia

Brown Tree Toad (Pedostibes hosii) Stamp

Denomination : 30sen
Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm

The Brown Tree Toad has a large, stout body with a thick bony ridge behind the eye and connected to a small paratoid gland. The fingers are long and distinctly shaped, probably an adaptation to enable this species to climb trees. The top of its head is smooth and the back has a few scattered warts.

The female’s size is bigger than the male, while the colour difference between both genders is light brown for male and black or dark purple with a pattern of yellow spots for female. It can be found mostly in undisturbed forests, but may also be found in old, secondary forests. The Brown Tree Toad can be found in all parts of Borneo as well as in Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand
Wallace’s Flying Frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus) Miniature Sheet

Wallace’s Flying Frog is a very large tree frog with an almost rounded snout and very large hands and feet. The fingers and toes are fully webbed while the colour of its body is shiny green with light yellow on the lateral sides as well as on the toe pads and snout. The hind limbs are relatively larger than the front limbs that provide added thrust upon jumping.

The males are slightly smaller than the females. Wallace’s Flying Frogs lives in primary or logged forests at low elevation. It can also be found on low tree branches near rain puddles by the logging area after a heavy rain. It descends from the forest canopy to breed at muddy pools of water. Wallace’s Flying Frog can be found in Kalimantan, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, southern Thailand, Sabah and Sarawak.

George Washingston Stamp 20c

Issue of 1982
USD 0.30

Occurrences of Washington on US Postage stamps in recent times is much less than what it was in the 19th century and early 20th century. In the beginning of postage stamp issuance new issues were few and only presidents were found on US Postage, with the well liked exception of Ben Franklin. In recent days, issues are many and a whole array of various individuals are now found on US Postage stamps. The Post Office has been both admired and criticized for this practice.

John Hanson Issue Stamp

USD 0.30
John Hanson Issue

A 20-cent commemorative stamp honoring John Hanson, the American Revolutionary patriot from Maryland, was issued November 5, 1981, in Frederick, Maryland. The stamp designer was Ron Adair of Dallas, Texas, and the modeler was Clarence Holbert.

John Hanson was the first president of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation. He was elected on November 5, 1781, and thus is regarded by some as the "first president of the United States." However, the office of president of the United States was not officially created until the US Constitution was adopted, so Hanson was president of the Continental Congress and not the chief executive of the United States.

Hanson served one year as the "President of the United States in Congress Assembled." Under his administration, peace terms were initiated, treaties were negotiated, and government departments were organized.

The stamp was printed in the photogravure process, with fifty stamps per pane.

Washington at Princeton Stamp

American Bicentennial Issue: Washington at Princeton

On January 3, 1977, the United State Postal Service issued the 13-cent multicolored Washington at Princeton (Scott 1704) stamp to honor the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s victory over the British forces at Princeton, New Jersey. Designed by Bradbury Thompson and based on Charles Willson Peale's painting “George Washington at Princeton,” the stamp depicts Washington, Nassau Hall, Hessian prisoners, and a thirteen-star flag.

The multicolored stamp was printed on the Bureau of Engraving and Printing seven-color Andreotti gravure press (601) as sheets of 160 subjects, tagged, perforated 11, and distributed as panes of forty (eight across, five down). Mr. Zip, “MAIL EARLY IN THE DAY,” electric eye markings, and five plate numbers, one in each color used to print the sheet, are printed in the selvage.

At year’s end in 1776, Washington planned to strike the British forces in New Jersey. On December 30 he again led his forces across the Delaware River from Pennsylvania and into British-held territory in New Jersey.

When word of the American victory at Trenton reached Brig. Gen. William Howe, the British commander dispatched Lord Charles Cornwallis to the Delaware in search of Washington’s army. There Cornwallis met another British force already in the area. Arriving in Princeton on January 1, Cornwallis left a rear guard of 1,200 men under Lt. Col. Charles Mawhood and proceeded south toward Trenton with 5,500 soldiers.

During the night and into the early hours of January 3, Washington left 400 men in the camp to stoke bonfires and make digging noises while the bulk of the force silently departed, made a wide arc around Cornwallis’s sleeping army, and headed north toward Princeton. At daybreak, Lt. Col. Mawhood left a small force behind in Princeton and proceeded south to join Cornwallis, encountering American forces under Brig. Gen. Hugh Mercer. Washington, who was with the main force advancing on Princeton, heard the exchanges and rode to the battle. Limited fighting occurred within Princeton itself. Gen. John Sullivan and his men followed a small British force that sought refuge in Nassau Hall, the principal building of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University). The British soldiers surrendered. The Battle of Princeton resulted in eight-six British casualties and around two hundred soldiers captured. The Americans suffered forty casualties, including Mercer.

On January 18, 1779, the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania passed a resolution commissioning a portrait of George Washington for the Council Chamber and selected Charles Willson Peale as the artist. The original portrait is now in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Peale completed numerous copies for royal palaces abroad, each time updating the general's military dress. It has been suggested that this portrait was commissioned upon the order of Mrs. Washington because it is the only portrait in which Washington wears his state sword and because the painting descended in the Washington family.

George M.Cohan Stamp 15c

George M.Cohan Stamp 15c

The 15-cent George M. Cohan (1878-1942) stamp was first available on July 3, 1978, at Providence, Rhode Island. Jim Sharpe designed the stamp. Cohan, born in Providence, was a very versatile vaudeville performer. He is remembered for his talents not only as a singer and dancer but also as a producer, director, playwright, and songwriter.

USD 0.30

W.C.Fields Stamps 15c

The 15-cent W.C. Fields commemorative stamp was first placed on sale at
Beverly Hills, California, on January 29, 1980. W.C. Fields (1880-1946) was an actor and comedian. The stamp was released on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Designed by Jim Sharpe, it was issued in sheets of fifty.

Reference:

Postal Bulletin (December 20, 1979).

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Bill Stamp

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Bill

Clipping from unidentified newspaper or magazine describing the issuance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. U.S. postage stamp.

Timeline

April 4, 1968 – Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, TN.

April 8, 1968 – Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) introduces legislation on the House floor to establish a federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

1971 – Congress receives more than six million signatures in support of the federal holiday, but no legislative action is taken.

1973-1979 – Several states enact statewide King holidays (IL, MA, CT, NJ).

1979 – CBC denounces amendment to commemorate the King holiday on a Sunday. Anything less than a full legal holiday is unacceptable.

November 1979 – Congressman Conyers' bill for a King holiday is defeated on the House floor by five votes.

January 15, 1981 – CBC supports a benefit concert, rally and march in Washington, D.C. to gain attention for the Holiday Bill. Stevie Wonder is the event sponsor, and his song "Happy Birthday" becomes an anthem for the movement.

August 1983 – Congresswoman Katie Hall (D-IN), CBC member and member of the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee, re-introduces the King Holiday legislation. It passes the House, 338-90.

October 1983 – The King Holiday Bill passes the Senate, 78-22.

November 1983 – President Ronald Reagan signs the bill into law (Public Law 98-399), declaring the third Monday in January as a federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and his service to this country.

January 20, 1986 – The first national celebration of the King holiday takes place.