ON THIS DAY: The Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (TXAN) — On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. King, a champion of nonviolent resistance and racial equality, was in Memphis to support striking sanitation workers when he was fatally shot at 6:01 p.m. CST.

He was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where doctors fought to save his life. However, he was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. at the age of 39. His assassination sent shockwaves across the nation, sparking widespread unrest and mourning.

Dr. King’s death marked a tragic moment in American history, but his legacy of justice, peace, and equality continues to inspire movements around the world. His leadership in the Civil Rights Movement led to significant progress, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Though his life was cut short, his dream for a more just and equal society lives on.