50 Years Ago Today: Dr. MLK Jr. Assassinated

Hi, friends. Today, we commemorate the untimely death of an American hero.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the Civil Rights Movement from the mid-1950’s to his death on April 4, 1968.

Followers of Malcolm X disagreed with Dr. King’s nonviolent methods. He began expanding his scope to include poor people of every race.

As Dr. King and friends planned a march to Washington on behalf of the poor, they were called to come to Memphis, Tennessee for a sanitation workers’ strike.

In a speech the night before his murder, Dr. King spoke unknowingly prophetic words: “I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

The following evening, while standing on a hotel balcony with his associates, Dr. King was struck in the neck by a sniper bullet.

His death sparked riots in over 100 cities.

Washington, D.C. riot aftermath. Source: Library of Congress

Rest in peace to a truly Godly man! Thanks for reading.

 

 

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