With no disrespect intended to the late, great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the date Aug. 28 will now be one remembered for two of the greatest speeches delivered in American history.

On the 45th anniversary of King's "I Have a Dream" speech, Sen. Barack Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination last night before more than 90,000 frenzied supporters at Mile High Stadium in Denver. The crowd, one of the largest to ever see an acceptance speech, roared as Obama's speech laid out plans for his would-be administration. As he did this, he tore into what he described as "the failed policies" of the Bush administration--an administration he believes John McCain would mirror should the GOP senator be elected come November.

Prior to Obama coming out onto the large stage, Stevie Wonder sang and a poignant video tribute to the nominee played on the large LCD screens at the stadium--and on all television networks.

After Obama took the stage, he began his assault on the issues in what many are calling the most passionate and presidential-like speech he's ever given.

Dan Baiz wrote an analysis of the speech for The Washington Post. He says Obama clearly delivered everything Democrats were hoping he would.

"Barack Obama's speech accepting the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night was what many nervous Democrats were hoping for: a forceful challenge to John McCain and the Republicans, and a restatement of the message to change Washington and the nation that propelled him to the nomination," Baiz wrote. "And then in a reprise of one of the most remembered lines of his convention keynote address at the Democratic convention four years ago in Boston, he said the men and women who have fought and died for this country may have been of different parties but all died under the same flag. 'They have not served a red America or a blue America--they have served the United States of America. So I've got news for you, John McCain: We all put our country first.'" (McCain's campaign has used the slogan "Country First.")

Vaughn Ververs, senior political editor for CBS News.com, says Obama "threaded the needle" Thursday: "A candidate known--fairly or not--for his soaring rhetoric delivered a speech heavy on specific policy points, themes of broad values and empathy for the daily challenges faced by many."

Among the issues Obama spoke of that are important to many regular readers of DiversityInc include gay marriage, improved healthcare (especially for children), health-insurance discrimination, equality in salary for both men and women, the economy that is causing many families to lose their homes, out-of-control gas prices, affordable college tuition, and the skyrocketing national unemployment rate.

"Tonight, more Americans are out of work, and more are working harder for less," Obama said. "More of you have lost your homes and even more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can't afford to drive, credit-card bills you can't afford to pay and tuition that's beyond your reach."

In speaking of gay marriage, Obama fell short of offering support for equal rights. However, he did say the partner of an LGBT person in a hospital should have the right to visit without hindrance.

Hearing this news, along with optimism Obama could win in November with a nice gain of seats in the Senate and House, has openly gay Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., thinking ahead to possible gay-rights progress over the next four years.

"Hopeful that the November elections could mark a historic turning point in the gay-rights movement, gay Democrats like Frank talked frequently about creating change on the national level," reads a story in the Washington Blade.

"'This election, if we are able to elect Barack Obama president, pick up some Senate seats, pick up some House seats, we will have the majority that will enable us to do, I think, what we want to do,'" Frank said in the report.

The article continues: "Frank told a group of gay delegates and dignitaries who gathered for lunch at a posh downtown hotel that the 'gay agenda' could soon be achieved. 'What's our agenda?' he said with a laugh. 'We want to get married, join the Army and get a job.'"

McCain Responds

On the night of a convention acceptance speech, it is usually the political pundits who come out swinging over what they heard. Yet Thursday night, after Obama's speech, it was perhaps McCain who was most critical. He continued to reiterate: He believes Obama isn't ready to be president.

"Tonight, Americans witnessed a misleading speech that was so fundamentally at odds with the meager record of Barack Obama," McCain said. "When the temple comes down, the fireworks end and the words are over, the facts remain: Sen. Obama still has no record of bipartisanship, still opposes offshore drilling, still voted to raise taxes on those making just $42,000 per year and still voted against funds for American troops in harm's way. The fact remains: Barack Obama is still not ready to be president."Click here for the full story from The Washington Post via MSNBC.

Click here for the full story from MSNBC.

Click here for Howard Fineman's Newsweek story on MSNBC.

Click here for Obama's Promises and Problem on MSNBC.

Click here for the full story from The Washington Blade.