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- April 4th, 1968
April 4th, 1968
Today, the world lost a true hero.
Today, we’re dialing the time machine to April 4th, 1968. Generally we like to highlight lighthearted and fun historical events in On This Day, but today the world lost a true hero in Martin Luther King Jr.
Don’t worry, plenty of fun stuff packed into this newsletter too. Let’s go! 🚀
April 4th, 1968 📆
Today, the world lost a true hero in Martin Luther King Jr.
King was in Memphis, Tennessee to support striking sanitation workers and advance his Poor People’s Campaign. At 6:01 p.m., while standing on the balcony at the Lorraine Motel, he was fatally shot by James Earl Ray, a fugitive and segregationist. He was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Hospital, at just 39 years old.
King’s assassination triggered nationwide riots in over 100 cities, reflecting widespread grief and outrage. Five days later, President Lyndon Johnson declared a national day of mourning. King’s death marked a turning point in the civil rights movement, leaving a profound legacy of nonviolent resistance and social justice.
My words won’t do justice to the legacy of MLK Jr. and the shocking events of April 4th, 1968. Instead, listen to the firsthand account of Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles, who witnessed the assassination. 👇
Take Me Back ⏮️
🎥 What we’re watching: 2001: A Space Odyssey, the #1 movie in America
🕹️ What we’re playing: Pinball on a Gottlieb Royal Guard
🛒 What we’re buying: Sindy dolls
👦 Who we’re following: Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway after The Thomas Crown Affair 🥵
🍔 What we’re eating: Pete’s Super Submarines, which had just been renamed “Subway” (ever heard of it?)
🎤 What we’re singing: “Hey Jude” by The Beatles
🥤 What we’re drinking: RC Cola, thanks to ads like this 👇
Just For Fun 🙃
On April 4th, 1968, (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding was the #1 song in America. Test your knowledge 👇
What inspired the writing of (Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay? |
OOTD On This Day🧢
The models in this h.i.s menswear ad look like AI, but I’m pretty sure AI didn’t exist in 1968…
Happy Birthday🎂
American actor Robert Downey Jr. turned three years old today, and was probably already prepping to become Iron Man.
Current Events 📰
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