Today In History logo TIH
A single .30-06 bullet from a Remington rifle shattered Martin Luther King Jr.'s
Featured Event 1968 Event

April 4

MLK Assassinated: A Nation Mourns a Leader Lost

A single .30-06 bullet from a Remington rifle shattered Martin Luther King Jr.'s jaw and severed his jugular vein as he stood on the Lorraine Motel balcony. The assassination triggered a worldwide manhunt that captured James Earl Ray at London Heathrow two months later, while King's death galvanized immediate federal action to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1968 just days after his passing.

April 4, 1968

58 years ago

Key Figures & Places

What Else Happened on April 4

Talk to History

Have a conversation with historical figures who witnessed this era. Ask questions, explore perspectives, and bring history to life.

Start Talking