A New York politician has declared 23 August (08) as Michael Jackson Day - in honour of the star's 50th birthday and the 25th anniversary of his groundbreaking THRILLER album.
Marty Markowitz made the announcement at a party to mark the milestone last Saturday (23Aug08).
Hundreds of Jackson fans gathered at the Caribbean Cultural Center in Manhattan to toast the King of Pop's 50th birthday.
A planned appearance by legendary Motown Records founder Berry Gordy - the man who launched Jackson's career - fell through.
But crime writer Aphrodite Jones attended, and signed copies of her book Michael Jackson Conspiracy, which examines the media's coverage of Jackson's child abuse trial.
And Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz crowned the day with his historic announcement.
Event organiser Reva Thomas says, "He wrote a proclamation declaring Saturday August 23, 2008, Michael 'King Of Pop' Jackson 50th Birthday and Thriller 25 Celebration Day. It was a fantastic evening."