Outside Jim's exhibition hall at the Philadelphia Exposition, throngs of youngsters wait to see the Equine King.

Across America, 2 million children joined the Jim Key Band of Mercy and signed the Jim Key pledge, "I promise always to be kind to animals and other sentient being." 100 years ago, city after city closed down entire school systems, while students, teachers and school boards alike were able to fill the greatest halls in the country to see Beautiful Jim Key and Dr. William Key demonstrate the power of kindness and humane education. Humane societies partnered with school systems to promote the ideals of literacy and citizenship, offering awards to students who wrote essays about Jim and who entered spelling bees with Jim participating. Sometimes Beautiful Jim Key lost, although he famously won a bee by outspelling a human sixth grader with the word "physics."

Today, the reclaiming of the Lost History of the Keys has inspired local libraries, schools, literacy and humane groups to launch activities that recall the importance of many of the Keys' causes. Check out some great examples:

-- CITYWIDE DRAW BEAUTIFUL JIM KEY ART CONTEST FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

-- CHECK OUT THE WINNING POSTERS!

At the height of his celebrity, Jim had his own song, The BEAUTIFUL JIM KEY Waltz, as well as a dance known as the Jim Key two-step.

Today, a new song, with lyrics and melody by Annie Mott Whitman, one of the few living relatives of Dr. William Key, pays tribute to the unforgotten heroes:

"Beautiful Jim Key, The Educated Horse" © lyrics & music, by Annie Mott Whitman, all rights reserved.

I can read and I can write.
I'm a horse but I don't bite.
I can even spell my name.
Do many amazing feats of fame.

Just call me Beautiful Jim Key, The Educated Horse. The Wonder of the Equine World. No one thought it possible but my friend who held the key. The man who taught me long ago, from dear old Tennessee. And they called him Dr. Key.

I can count and I can add.
Know my alphabet and that's not bad.
I can even give you change.
For a horse that seems strange.

Just call me Beautiful Jim Key, The Educated Horse. The Wonder of the Equine World. No one thought it possible but my friend who held the key. The man who taught me long ago from dear old Tennessee. And they called him Dr. Key.