ATLANTA — On April 4, 1968, a shot rang out in Memphis, Tennessee, that changed the world forever.
An assassin silenced the voice that had energized America’s civil rights movement and challenged our nation to live up to its highest ideals.
It has been 50 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
Re-live the last 2 days of Dr. King's life in real-time as we "live tweet" the events of April 3 and 4, 1968, at @HonoringMLK.
April 3 (8:30 a.m. ET)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his staff are in Atlanta, having an intense debate about whether they should go to Memphis; Dr. King strongly believes they should. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (9:30 a.m. ET)
A bomb threat forces the evacuation of Dr. King's Atlanta flight to Memphis. King, Ralph Abernathy, Bernard Lee, Andrew Young, and Dorothy Cotton exit the flight. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (9:40 a.m. ET)
The plane carrying Dr. King and SCLC leaders has been searched following the bomb threat, nothing has been found. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (10:30 a.m. ET)
Dr. King departs from Atlanta to Memphis on board Eastern Airlines flight 381. With him are Ralph Abernathy, Bernard Lee, Andrew Young, and Dorothy Cotton. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/uupb9o4CFp
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (11:30 a.m. ET)
Dr. King lands in Memphis at Gate 17 and is mobbed on the tarmac by media; crowd also includes law enforcement. Questioned about possible injunction against the march, King says he'll "cross that bridge when we come to it." #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (11:45 a.m. ET)
Dr. King says his team has reached out to groups blamed for last week's violence here in Memphis and they have agreed to peaceful protests. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/dsY9Nl3X94
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (12:22 p.m. ET)
Dr. King checks into the Lorraine Motel. He and Ralph Abernathy will share Room 306 on the second floor. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/ygMpj6rTUa
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (1:24 p.m. ET)
Dr. King has left the Lorraine and is meeting with Memphis pastors and activists at Centenary United Methodist Church to plan their expected march next week in support of the sanitation workers' strike. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (2:25 p.m. ET)
It's understood Dr. King will meet at the Lorraine today with local militant civil rights group, the Invaders. Many believe they were behind the violence which rocked last week's march here led by Dr. King and James Lawson. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (3:29 p.m. ET)
The Memphis march meeting at Centenary UMC has ended and Dr. King is en route back to the Lorraine Motel. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (4:15 p.m. ET)
A setback for MLK: A federal judge here has issued a restraining order against him. He and his aides are huddling with his legal team at the motel. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (5:30 p.m. ET)
A full day already for Dr. King and a large, enthusiastic crowd is expected tonight to hear him, Ralph Abernathy and others at Memphis' Mason Temple. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (6:30 p.m. ET)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his aides have concluded their meeting with the Invaders and have reached an agreement on their non-violent participation in the march. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (7:30 p.m. ET)
The weather has turned here in Memphis and a thunderstorm has replaced the warm, clear skies from earlier in the day. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 3, 2018
April 3 (8:30 p.m. ET)
The enormous room and balcony at Mason Temple is packed mostly with sanitation workers, but MLK is not feeling well and isn't here. Top leaders including Andrew Young, Ralph Abernathy, and Jesse Jackson are in attendance. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/WtgpHZm9rd
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 3 (9:00 p.m. ET)
Honestly not sure if it's the storm outside or the thunderous roar greeting Dr. King's appearance here that seems to be making this church tremble right now. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/rYp8V7xESH
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 3 (10:22 p.m. ET)
MLK at Mason Temple: "Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know... only when it's dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God working... in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding." #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/Loykwq6qgl
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 3 (10:22 p.m. ET)
Dr. King tells the crowd, "It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it's nonviolence or nonexistence. That is where we are today." #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/UY4rcTHQNJ
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 3 (10:27 p.m. ET)
Dr. King at Mason Temple:
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
"I can remember when Negroes were just going around as Ralph has said so often, scratching where they didn't itch, and laughing when they were not tickled. But that day is all over - we mean business now." #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/u8LPkJAe9Q
April 3 (10:30 p.m. ET)
MLK just now: "If I lived in China or even Russia... maybe I could understand some of these illegal injunctions... But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech... (1/2) #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/djtJi6hMYS
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 3 (10:31 p.m. ET)
Dr. King (cont.): "Somewhere I read of the freedom of press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right!" (2/2) #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/NBULiDBRDG
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 3 (10:35 p.m. ET)
MLK at Mason Temple: "When we have our march, you need to be there. If it means leaving work, if it means leaving school, be there. Be concerned about your brother. You may not be on strike. But either we go up together, or we go down together." #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/ioXMuJRGDi
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 3 (10:40 p.m. ET)
A passionate Dr. King continues, "I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been TO THE MOUNTAINTOP. And I don't mind."#HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/RD6Ss1SvDC
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 3 (10:46 p.m. ET)
Dr. King: "I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over..." (1/2) #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/wWpvZCkux7
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 3 (10:46 p.m. ET)
MLK, emotional, with crowd in a frenzy (cont.): "And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!" (2/2) #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/91SwGbjnQM
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 3 (10:50 p.m. ET)
A rousing conclusion to a profound speech tonight as Dr. King declares, "And so I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!" #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/hw9gwc8I5B
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (9:00 a.m. ET)
April 4, 1968. A gray, dreary morning in Memphis. Dr. King and his associates arrived back at the Lorraine in the early hours and went to bed late after his remarkable speech last night at Mason Temple. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/Y9mrPE1tSX
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (10:00 a.m. ET)
A big day for Dr. King on tap. The SCLC is expected in a Memphis courtroom to battle the injunction against them preventing their planned march. His brother, A.D. King, drove into town last night and is here as well. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (11:00 a.m. ET)
Andrew Young is among those in Judge Bailey Brown's courtroom this morning seeking to have Memphis' injunction against the planned SCLC march lifted. The judge will have to be assured there will be no violence this time. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/vpeq1YWE0G
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (12:01 p.m. ET)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is at the Lorraine Motel while his attorney, Lucius Burch, is in court battling for the city to permit a second Memphis march to support the striking sanitation workers. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/C4WyQSX2er
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (12:30 p.m. ET)
Tonight Dr. King and his aides have plans to have dinner at the Memphis home of Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (1:00 p.m. ET)
Frank Holloman, Memphis' director of fire and police, testifies for the city that Dr. King has been meeting with radicals and details the looting and destruction that accompanied last week's march. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (2:00 p.m. ET)
Dr. King has not received any updates on the injunction hearing. He and Ralph Abernathy have a catfish and iced tea lunch at the Lorraine and discuss lingering concerns about the Invaders possibly inciting violence at the march. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (3:09 p.m. ET)
Andrew Young looks on as Rev. James Lawson tells the court MLK is "the major voice of hope" for minorities and the oppressed. Young is likely to testify later this afternoon. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/NdIyUyN2o2
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (4:00 p.m. ET)
Andrew Young is testifying now to have the Memphis injunction lifted and allow their march in support of the striking sanitation workers. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (4:15 p.m. ET)
Andrew Young tells the court Dr. King would consider violence at the march "a repudiation of his philosophy and his whole way of life." #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (4:30 p.m. ET)
We have a verdict. Judge Brown has ruled for Dr. King and the SCLC and WILL lift the injunction, allowing next Monday's Memphis march to proceed.
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (5:00 p.m. ET)
Andrew Young arrives at the Lorraine to deliver the good news to Dr. King and... a PILLOW fight breaks out. MLK and Abernathy are giddy and playfully pummel Young after his day in court! #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (5:15 p.m. ET)
After yesterday's somber, tense mood, things are decidedly lighter this afternoon around Dr. King and SCLC leaders who appear in high spirits. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (6:00 p.m. ET)
Memphis Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles has arrived at the Lorraine Motel to take Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his aides to dinner at his home. He's told they'll leave at 6p local time (7 ET) instead and joins them inside. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/7eg0uYwKEp
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (6:30 p.m. ET)
Dr. King is preparing to head out and is joined by Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson, James Orange, and Rev. Kyles, around the motel and his room, number 306. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/x7L6Gth9oi
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (6:55 p.m. ET)
Dr. King steps out onto the second-story balcony outside Room 306 at the Lorraine. With him are Rev. Abernathy and Rev. Kyles. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (6:58 p.m. ET)
As the group prepares to depart, Dr. King playfully chides Jesse Jackson about his casual attire while below, Andrew Young pretends to spar with the much larger James Orange. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (7:00 p.m. ET)
Dr. King's driver tonight, Solomon Jones, shouts from downstairs that the civil rights leader may want to grab a coat before leaving. It's a bit cold outside. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (7:01 p.m. ET)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been shot! A single bullet has struck him on the second floor of the Lorraine Motel. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (7:05 p.m. ET)
Dr. King is motionless, surrounded by a pool of blood. Police are here. His aides are telling them the shot came from behind nearby bushes, near an alley. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/t2kdXW0m07
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (7:09 p.m. ET)
Dr. King is being rushed with a police escort to St. Joseph's Hospital. It's believed he's alive, but unconscious. Rev. Abernathy is with him. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (7:16 p.m. ET)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has arrived at St. Joseph's Hospital. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (7:30 p.m. ET)
Police have just found a bundle containing a rifle, binoculars, and newspaper among other items about a block from the Lorraine Motel, outside Canipe Amusement Co. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/N93kFX9FJp
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 4, 2018
April 4 (8:04 p.m. ET)
The world mourns. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been pronounced dead. #HonoringMLK #MLKtimeline pic.twitter.com/q3KrTccJzT
— Honoring MLK 50 (@HonoringMLK) April 5, 2018
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Channel 2 Action News and WSB Radio covered the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 50 years ago, and now bring you the most comprehensive coverage on the anniversary.
CLICK HERE for in-depth stories, interviews with witnesses to history, the most extensive archive of photos, audio and video and extensive team coverage of Dr. King's far reaching impact.
Cox Media Group
