Research

The most prominent civil rights leader of the 20th century, Martin Luther King, was assassinated at the age of 39 on April 4, 1968. Prior to his assassination, King was participating and speaking at a sanitation strike in Memphis, Tennessee. Waving from a balcony at the Loraine motel on the second floor, King was shot in the neck, and died about shortly following. James Earl Ray was convicted of the murder and imprisoned for 99 years. However, there were many doubts if he was the assassin. Following the death of Ray in prison, they came to the conclusion that the assassination was the work of many conspirators, rather than a single person.

Shocking the nation, civilians were angered at the assassination of their most prominent civil right leader. Many riots began across the country, including Chicago and Washington D.C. Primarily, however, riots took place in urban areas. These horrible riots killed an estimated 46 people, and left thousands of others injured.

Many riots were posted on the news, talked about on the radio, and a conservation starter. They led to unrest from the civilians, and a depressed mood across the country. As well, the riots changed the daily life of many civilians, and according to [], the riots "were a touchstone, a moment in their lives as compelling as Dec. 7, Nov. 22, Sept. 11."


 * Leader of non-violent civil rights movement
 * Assassinated on April 4, 1968
 * Sparked rioting in urban areas
 * In Memphis supporting a strike
 * Last speech was on April 3
 * Shot from balcony of room at Lorraine motel
 * 46 people killed in riots following his death
 * Troops posted around white house and u.s. capitol
 * James Earl Ray convicted of murder and imprisoned for 99 years
 * Many doubts if he really committed the murder- died in prison
 * Work of many conspirators rather than a single gunman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmOBbxgxKvo

Question for interview
 * 1) What did you hear about the assassination during the event and what did you hear following it? Do you remember where you were?
 * 2) How did security change for you working in the city following the riot?
 * 3) What mood did you feel in the city following the assassination?

Dear Aunt Cookie, As you may know, my friend Sara Miller and I are working on our final history project on the time period between 1950 and 2010. Interested by your encounter in Washington D.C. during the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the riots following his death, we would love to ask you some questions about this experience. If you wouldn't mind, please answer the following questions to help us with our project!
 * 1) What did you hear about the assassination during the event and what did you hear following it? Do you remember where you were?
 * 2) How did security change for you working in the city following the riots?
 * 3) How did the events impact your daily life?
 * 4) What was your role in the riots? Were you just an on-looker or did it impact you more?
 * 5) What was the mood like in the city following the assassination?
 * 6) What was the media coverage like? Did you see it mostly on the news or hear it on the radio?
 * 7) What else do you remember about the riots?

Thank you so much! We appreciate your help.

Love, Brooke and Sara