Martin Luther King Jr. Assassinated 55 Years Ago Today

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. King, who was 39 years old at the time of his death, was shot and killed on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had been supporting a strike by sanitation workers. His death sparked riots and protests across the country, and his legacy as a champion of nonviolent resistance and equality for all continues to inspire activists to this day. In honor of King’s memory, April 4 is recognized as a national day of service in the United States, encouraging citizens to engage in volunteer work and community service projects.