By Danielle Rubino

As a twenty-two year old, I was definitely not around in 1963. I do know, however, the importance of August 28th, 1963.

On that day, standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech. That speech would later change the history of this great nation. In the midst of the American Civil Rights Movement, surrounded by 200,000 supporters, Dr. King pleaded for racial equality.

He had a dream that one day America would rise up and live out it's true meaning-- that all men are created equal. More importantly, he had a dream that his four children would "one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

In remembrance of his birthday, on the third Monday of January, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. When I was writing this I was struck with a thought, when do we learn that the real meaning behind the Monday we have off every January?

As a child we've heard people recite lines, saw movies where its been mentioned, or seen clips of the speech on TV; yet, we're still unaware of the real events that happened.

I come from a HUGE family. I was the sixth grandchild of twelve to Italian immigrants. They came to America seeking a new beginning and they've found one. I've learned tremendous amounts from them as well as from my parents, plus my aunts and uncles. Older family members, as role-models, need to expand on their lifetime events to their children, nieces and nephews, grand-children, etc. It's first hand knowledge and it doesn't get much better then that.

"He educated, he inspired, and he changed history," said Michael Rubino, my twin brother who is a middle school teacher in Massachusetts. His students are only twelve-years-old but this teacher knows they should be enlightened to hardships of the past. "The younger generations need to be reminded of the struggle and the fight the ultimately led to the equality America has today."

This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, take time to spread the knowledge among the young people in your life.

1. Children LOVE movies. So throw on a flick! Films such as 'Remember the Titans' and 'The Great Debaters' shine a light on America's struggle with civil rights. They're good movies and more importantly, their educational.

2. Have them write their very own "I Have a Dream" speech. What is the one thing they would change about the world we live in? More candy?Less school? It's fun and kids will love to show off what they wrote.

3. Teach them the importance of freedom and equality. Offer them a little lesson on the Constitution and Bill of Rights.