In his 1966 speech, Dr. King spoke of race relations in terms of the perspective each of us view American progress. He focused his words on the utility of realism in our day-to-day battle for racial equality in America, an idea which can be applied today to the current status of race relations in America and the world at large.

“The realist in race relations trying to answer the question of progress would seek to combine the trues of two opposites [pessimism and optimism], while avoiding the extremes of both," said Dr. King. "And so the realist would agree with the optimist that we have come a long, long way, but he would seek to balance that by agreeing with the pessimist in that we have a long, long way to go. And it is this realistic position that I would like to take as a basis for our thinking together … as we deal with the question of progress in race relations.”

In between his visits to Illinois Wesleyan, Dr. King won Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1963 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Learn more:
Listen to Dr. King’s 1966 speech in its entirety

First Lady Michelle Obama was born to Fraser and Marian Robinson and raised on the South Side of Chicago.

Obama began her career by attending Chicago Public Schools and excelling in academics. She attended gifted classes in grade school and graduated high school as class salutatorian prior to attending Princeton University. In 1985, Obama graduated cum laude with a B.A. in sociology. She went on to earn a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Instead of rushing to Washington, Obama returned to Chicago where she worked as a lawyer and city administrator. With her husband, then-State Senator Barack Obama, she helped organize the community as a community outreach worker.

In 2009, the Obamas made history by becoming the first African-American U.S. president and first lady.

As first lady, Michelle Obama worked to help military families and working women and to improve the country’s health. In 2010, she launched the Let’s Move! campaign to address the challenge of childhood obesity by promoting activity and health eating.

In 2011, Obama joined Dr. Jill Biden to create Joining Forces, a nationwide initiative to create employment opportunities for returning veterans. This year, Mrs. Obama began the Reach Higher initiative to help young Americans attend college.

Learn more:
The first lady’s official biography
Want to keep up with Michelle? Check out her Twitter page for updates from the White House.

Most likely you have seen the big “M” several times in your life and have stopped at least once to grab a burger and fries. No matter what your food preference is, the existence of McDonald’s is all because of Ray Kroc.

Kroc was born on October 5, 1902 in Oak Park. His business career started when he was selling multi-mixers that could make multiple shakes at one time. He sold his mixers to Mac and Dick McDonald who owned a small and successful restaurant that sold mainly hamburgers.

Kroc saw that food sales could be organized for mass production and he ended up paying the brothers permission to open restaurants similar to theirs. The first McDonald’s he opened was in Des Plaines, April 15, 1955.

Kroc observed that the public wanted good food, low prices, friendly service and no waiting in long lines. So that’s what he gave them. He also wanted all McDonald’s to sell the same food in every restaurant.

McDonald’s expanded greatly in 1967 because of Kroc’s ability to keep the customers happy and his ability to steadily increase the quality of the business. As of now, there are thirty thousand McDonald’s restaurants on six continents.

Kroc also established the Kroc Foundation that focuses on financial aid philanthropy. He also established centers that offer support to families of children who have cancer, known as Ronald McDonald House charities.

Kroc passed away on January 14, 1984.

Learn more:
The Ray Kroc Story
McDonald's official home page
Ronald McDonald House Charities

The now-ubiquitous aerosol cans of paint were born out of a simple idea: Ed Seymour, who owned a paint store in Sycamore, Illinois wanted an easier way to demonstrate the aluminum coating he sold for painting radiators. His wife suggested a spray gun like those used for deodorizers. He took her advice, and in 1949, the world got spray paint.

Seymour quickly pivoted the focus of his business from selling paint to his new invention, and soon other major companies jumped on board. By 2010, U.S. spray paint manufacturers were producing 412 million cans.

DIY enthusiasts love spray paint for its versatility and great finish. Law enforcement agencies hate it for its frequent use in vandalism. But love it or hate it, spray paint is here to stay.

Read more about Ed Seymour and the evolution of spray paint in this New York Times article.

Learn more:
Seymour Paint’s official website

This past Sunday, rapper, Common, originally known as Common Sense, won a Golden Globe award for his original song he created for the movie Selma.

While he is also known for his acting prowess, Common is most notably recognized as an influential figure in rap’s underground scene. While commercial gangsta rap was becoming popular and other forms of rap were vanishing, Common managed to keep the style of jazz-rap alive.

Lonnie Rashied Lynn was born on March 13, 1972. His original claim to fame came to him when he won The Source magazine’s unsigned Hype contest. He soon after, released his first single, “Take It EZ.” After several hit songs, Common landed a major-label deal with MCA.  His music career only sky rocketed from there and he started to collaborate with other music artists, such as Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, MC Lyte and Cee-Lo.

During his acceptance speech for best original song for his and John Legend’s original song “Glory,” he notably referenced several recent controversial events.

“As I got to know the people of the Civil Rights Movement, I realized I am the hopeful black woman who was denied her right to vote,” said common. “I am the caring white supporter who was killed on the front lines of freedom. I am the unarmed black kid who maybe needed a hand but instead was given a bullet. I am the two fallen police officers, murdered in the line of duty. ‘Selma’ has awakened my humanity.”

This was Common’s second Golden Globe award.

Learn more:
Think Common - Common's official website
Common's IMDB profile