As every year on August 29, the world came together to celebrate Michael Jackson. On what would have been his 68th birthday, fans across the globe gathered to honour the King of Pop, proving once again that Michael’s music, dance and message continue to resonate with generations everywhere.
From famous Michael Jackson landmarks to city squares, dance floors and special events, fans sang, danced and celebrated the man who continues to bring people together 68 years after his birth.
Fans Gather at Michael’s Landmarks
Of course, some of the most emotional celebrations took place at locations forever connected with Michael.
In Gary, Indiana, fans travelled from around the world to visit Michael’s childhood home at 2300 Jackson Street. Flowers were left outside the house, messages were written on the pavement, and fans dressed in fedoras, gloves and Michael-inspired outfits celebrated his music together. The gathering was particularly meaningful this year, as Gary is still recovering after devastating storms and extended power outages affected the community.
Elsewhere, fans visited Michael’s resting place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California, continuing the annual tradition of leaving flowers and messages in his memory.
A New Gathering Place in Sweden
Meanwhile, Michael Jackson’s famous HIStory statue in Ängelholm, Sweden, became another important destination for fans on August 29.
The original 1995 promotional statue only recently found its new permanent home in Sweden, and King Of Pop Fans of Sweden joined forces with the Danish Moo.Walkers to organise a birthday celebration at the foot of the impressive monument.
The celebration helped establish the statue as a new pilgrimage site for Michael Jackson fans in Europe and judging by the pictures and videos being shared, it is already becoming an essential stop for fans travelling through Scandinavia.
Bucharest Celebrates Michael’s Legacy
In Romania, fans also came together for a particularly special celebration.
The day included the unveiling of the restored “Heal The World” plaque, originally inaugurated in 1992 during Michael Jackson’s historic visit to Bucharest. Fans then gathered at the Michael Jackson Monument on Michael Jackson Alley in King Michael I Park for a special birthday celebration.
The Romanian fan community then continued the celebration into the night with an official Michael Jackson Birthday Party in Bucharest, featuring dance performances, look-alike competitions and, of course, plenty of Michael Jackson music.
Dancing Around the World
And those were only some of the organised events.
Across the world, fans took over city squares, parks and dance floors to celebrate Michael’s birthday. Whether through flash mobs, sing-alongs, dance performances or simply blasting Michael’s music for everyone to hear, August 29 once again became a day where the global Michael Jackson family came together.
Even in London, fans gathered in Trafalgar Square for a birthday celebration and a group sing-along, another reminder that, wherever you go, there will always be people ready to celebrate Michael.
Across China, fans also gathered in cinemas and recorded public videos to wish Michael Jackson a happy birthday.
In Mexico City, hundreds of fans came together for a spectacular tribute to Michael Jackson on August 29. To commemorate what would have been the King of Pop’s 68th birthday, people of all ages gathered to perform a massive dance tribute to “Thriller”, recreating the iconic zombie choreography made famous in Michael’s legendary short film. Michael Jackson impersonators also took to the stage to perform routines they have spent years perfecting. The celebration was spearheaded by the local fan community group “Yo Sí Bailo Michael Jackson”, once again proving that, around the world, Michael’s music and dance continue to bring generations of fans together.
Brooklyn Loves MJ Returns
One of the biggest celebrations of the day took place in New York.
Spike Lee’s annual BK Loves MJ returned to Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Park, bringing fans together for a free seven-hour celebration of Michael’s life and music.
With DJ Spinna providing the soundtrack, fans, dancers and music lovers gathered from noon until the evening to dance and celebrate the King of Pop. The event was presented in partnership with Jordan Brand and marked the return of the famous Brooklyn celebration after several years without a traditional live edition.
Spike Lee has always had a special connection with Michael, having directed the short films for “They Don’t Care About Us” as well as the documentaries Bad 25 and Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall. For years, his annual Brooklyn celebration has been one of the most recognisable Michael Jackson birthday events in the United States.
The Official Celebration in Las Vegas
Of course, fans also travelled to Las Vegas for the annual official Michael Jackson Birthday Celebration at the Michael Jackson ONE Theatre.
Hosted once again by Karen Langford, who took central stage, the event featured an awkward tribute to the late John McClain before moving into a discussion involving Prince Jackson and choreographers Rich and Tone Talauega, who shared their experiences and connection with Michael biopic. The four of them were on the same stage a year ago, Rich & Tone have been on the same stage for few years now. It is hard to understand why Langford is bringing the same people over and over every year when she has access of hundreds of people who worked with the King of Pop!
The afternoon was followed by a special performance from the cast of Michael Jackson ONE. And of course the “meet & greet” featuring John Branca. Followed by the tired Book signing of Michael Bush’s book.
While the format of the Estate’s annual event has now become very familiar to returning fans, it remains a special opportunity for Michael Jackson fans from around the world to come together under one roof and celebrate his birthday. Prince Jackson also led fans in a public birthday wish for his father during the celebrations.
And here a special video from MJ The Musical:
Michael Was Everywhere
It wasn’t just fans who remembered Michael.
Radio stations, television networks, brands and official accounts around the world shared birthday wishes and tributes throughout the day. And this year, with the enormous commercial success of the Michael biopic bringing Michael Jackson back into the mainstream conversation in a major way, the King’s birthday appeared to receive even more attention than usual.
Noting how fans around the world continue to come together to celebrate the joy, love and inspiration Michael brought to millions.
And perhaps that is what makes August 29 so special.
Michael Jackson may no longer be physically with us, but every year his birthday reminds us just how alive his legacy remains. In Gary, Los Angeles, Sweden, Romania, New York, Las Vegas, London and countless other places around the world, people of every age came together for one reason:
To celebrate Michael.
Happy Birthday, Michael. The world still loves you.
