Famous Americans By mstrohm Feb 22, 1732 George Washington's birthday Mar 4, 1789 George Washington became first U.S. president Feb 12, 1809 Abe Lincoln's birthday Jan 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation Jan 15, 1929 Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday Aug 28, 1963 I Have a Dream Speech Apr 4, 1968 Martin Luther King, Jr. shot