Dr. King's Timeline | MLK 50
  1. 04 Apr
  2. 03 Apr
  3. 01 Feb
  4. 12 Feb
  5. 28 Mar

  1. Dr. King is assassinated

    Apr 04, 1968

    Dr. King is mortally wounded on the balcony of room 306 at the Lorraine Motel at 6:01 pm, and is pronounced dead at 7:05 pm at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Riots erupt throughout the country as news of his death spreads.

  2. I’ve Been to the Mountaintop

    Apr 03, 1968

    Dr. King returns to Memphis. Despite feeling ill, he attends a rally at Mason Temple where he delivers his final sermon “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.”

  3. 2 Sanitation Workers are killed

    Feb 01, 1968

    In Memphis, Tennessee two sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, are crushed in the rear of a malfunctioning garbage truck.

  4. The strike begins

    Feb 12, 1968

    Memphis sanitation and public works employees go on strike until they receive decent living wage and safe working conditions. They also demand the recognition of their humanity and dignity by wearing “I Am a Man” signs.

  5. Dr. King marches in Memphis

    Mar 28, 1968

    Dr. King leads a march supporting the sanitation workers in downtown Memphis. Violence erupts during the march, and Dr. King is rushed from the scene. Dr. King vows to return to Memphis lead a peaceful march.

  1. 01 Feb
  2. 12 Feb
  3. 28 Mar
  4. 03 Apr
  5. 04 Apr

  1. 2 Sanitation Workers are killed

    Feb 1, 1968

    In Memphis, Tennessee two sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, are crushed in the rear of a malfunctioning garbage truck.

  2. The strike begins

    Feb 12, 1968

    Memphis sanitation and public works employees go on strike until they receive decent living wage and safe working conditions. They also demand the recognition of their humanity and dignity by wearing "I Am a Man" signs.

  3. Dr. King marches in Memphis

    Mar 28, 1968

    Dr. King leads a march supporting the sanitation workers in downtown Memphis. Violence erupts during the march, and Dr. King is rushed from the scene. Dr. King vows to return to Memphis lead a peaceful march.

  4. I've Been to the Mountaintop

    Apr 3, 1968

    Dr. King returns to Memphis. Despite feeling ill, he attends a rally at Mason Temple where he delivers his final sermon "I've Been to the Mountaintop."

  5. Dr. King is assassinated

    Apr 4, 1968

    Dr. King is mortally wounded on the balcony of room 306 at the Lorraine Motel at 6:01 pm, and is pronounced dead at 7:05 pm at St. Joseph's Hospital. Riots erupt throughout the country as news of his death spreads.