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Martin Luther King JR

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was a civil rights activist who played a very important role in the movement. Dr. King was in Memphis, Tennesse at the time of the assassination. On April 4, 1968 at around 6 p.m Martin Luther King Jr. was shot by a sniper as he was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. The bullet went through his cheek, down his neck, and ended at his shoulder blade. His death was announced an hour later. A man named James Earl Ray was arressted for the crime.

IMPACT

The impact that Martin Luther King Jr's death had on America was huge. Many African Americans were hysterical about the loss of a man they looked up to. Some took to the streets and acted violent, although many compared Dr. King's ways to Ghandi, in the sense that he sought for peace not violence. The enire nation mourned their loss. He had been the leader of a huge civil rights movement. His death did lead to something great though. His assassination made a bill become more quickly made, an equal housing bill. This bill marked the last big decision of the Civil Rights Era. Even today Martin Luther King Jr. is recognized for his great leadership skills durng this time period, and his speeches are still widely recognized till this day. His death changed America and hiistory because people began to see how they needed to come together as one. He was loved by millions for the things he was doing, but he was taken away in the blink of an eye. This proves his affect on history.