Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated 45 years ago today at a motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The civil rights leader was in the southern city to support an ongoing strike by the city’s sanitation workers. King was only 39 years old when he died.
King was born in Atlanta in 1929 and attended a seminary in Pennsylvania before becoming a pastor in Montgomery, Alabama at age 25. He went on to lead the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Throughout his career he organized nonviolent protests throughout the south and helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
The day before his death, King delivered his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, which contained references to the threats of violence that he routinely received.
While mourning the news that beloved film critic Roger Ebert has died, Twitter users are also remembering the assassination of King and conveying which message of King’s meant the most to them:
Peace to brother Martin Luther King, fallen on this day, 1968
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that” Martin Luther King.
RIP To The GREAT Dr. Martín Luther King, Jr. ! Paved The Way To Equality, But Who Will Successfully Complete Your Mission….?
[Author’s Note: Cory Booker is the current mayor of Newark, New Jersey]
“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
4 April 1968. Last photo of Martin Luther King, standing on balcony of Room 306 minutes before fatal shot was fired. http://t.co/oDrQePHRs3
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Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. Martin Luther King, Jr.
[Author’s note: Nicolas Maduro is currently the interim president of Venezuela.]
Honor and Glory to the great Martin Luther King apostle of the US people struggling for justice, 44 years after his vile assassination
Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Martin Luther King, Jr.
45 years ago today a great man died to soon, RIP Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. -Martin Luther King