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On this day in history, April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed by a sniper when he stepped out onto the balcony of Memphis’ Lorraine Motel.
And it’s around that time, more than a half century later, that multitudes around the nation will commemorate the death of the world’s preeminent civil rights leader.
At 6 p.m. today/Thursday, thousands of people are expected to gather at 100 AMC Theatres across the country for a free screening of a documentary that has been shown only once before.
At roughly the same time, 6:01 p.m., the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site will culminate its King Remembrance Day with the laying of a wreath at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. The park’s commemorative program will begin at 5:15 p.m., in the church.
In addition, free tours of the birth home of King will take place on Thursday from 10 a.m. until noon and from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Special tours of the birth home also will be offered on Saturday and on April 9, which is the anniversary of King’s funeral.
