In 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
The Assassination of a Civil Rights Icon
On Thursday, April 4, 1968, at 6:05 P.M., the prominent American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was tragically shot dead. This pivotal event occurred while he was standing on a balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
Immediate Aftermath and National Impact
The news of King's assassination resonated deeply across the United States, leading to widespread grief and anger. This profound loss immediately triggered significant outbreaks of racial violence throughout the nation. The unrest that followed resulted in:
- More than 40 deaths nationwide
- Extensive property damage across numerous cities
Key Details of the Assassination
To provide a clear overview of this significant historical event, here are the key details:
Event | Detail |
---|---|
Individual | Martin Luther King Jr. |
Date | April 4, 1968 |
Time | 6:05 P.M. |
Location | Balcony of his second-floor room, Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee |
Immediate Impact | Major outbreaks of racial violence, over 40 deaths nationwide, extensive property damage |