April 4, 1968, saw the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., sparking chaos and fear across American cities. Cities erupted in riots, fires burned out of control, and dozens were killed. Meanwhile, Robert F. Kennedy was en route to Indianapolis, where he was scheduled to make a campaign appearance in an African-American neighborhood. Despite the violence, Kennedy courageously kept his promise to speak, delivering a moving, extemporaneous plea for peace and reconciliation, which would be regarded as one of the great political speeches of the 20th century.
A Ripple of Hope
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a prominent civil rights leader, was fatally shot by a gunman outside the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
