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April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated in Memphis

cultureApr 4, 202615

On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was shot on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray was arrested and later pleaded guilty to the assassination. King's death triggered widespread grief and riots in U.S. cities and focused national attention on racial injustice. Congress passed the Fair Housing Act days later, making his killing a turning point for civil rights policy.

Key Highlights

Martin Luther King Jr. was shot on April 4, 1968, in Memphis.
James Earl Ray was arrested and later pleaded guilty to the murder.
His assassination sparked nationwide riots and helped pass the 1968 Fair Housing Act.
2 sources
apnews.comToday in History: April 4, Martin Luther King assassinated in Memphishistory.comMartin Luther King Jr. Assassination - Facts, Reaction & Impact | HISTORY

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