HIStory: Michael Jackson at the VH1 Awards

June 22, 1995: Michael Jackson is presented with the first ever "Michael Jackson Special Award" for his humanitarian work at the 3rd Annual VH1 Honors held at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles.

Its inscription says:

MICHAEL JACKSON

The power of music

is the power of the soul

VH1 honors

the musician who goes

beyond sharing the

soul and shares time,

energy and resources,

to help others

JUNE 22nd, 1995

American actor Morgan Freeman presented to him with the "Special International Artist Award" for record sales and worldwide relief endeavours. The award was later renamed the "Michael Jackson Special Award."

Here's a partial transcript of the award presentation;


Morgan Freeman: On behalf of VH1 we'd like to present this award to you for the work you have done over the years. Performing in charity and in addition - listen to this now - VH1 is proud to announce the creation of a special VH1 International Honours Award for the King of Pop which will be presented in future to artists with their world wide charitable work following in the footsteps of yourself. Congratulations!


Michael: I'm a major fan, he's a phenomenon. I mean it. Thank you.

Thank you, Morgan. Thank you VH1, thank you for this honour. Thank you all my friends and fans for your love and support.


You've given me so much, it allowed me to take some of that love and pass it on to those people whose problems in this world need and deserve our help. A perfect example is the recent U.N. announcement that 1 to 3 million lives could be saved if Third World children were given a vitamin A pill three times a year. Cost per child is just six cents, that's all. So we must join together in healing the world so we can share this beautiful planet in joy and love. I love you very much.