Category Archives: African-American Civil Rights

African-American man dragged to his death in Texas 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 7 1998)


Video: 'The Case of James Byrd, Jr'

(Sunday, June 7, 1998, early morning CDT) — An African-American man was murdered early today when three white supremacists dragged him for three miles behind a pick-up truck along an asphalt road in Jasper, Texas. Continue reading African-American man dragged to his death in Texas 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 7 1998)

Poor People’s March on Washington begins 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 2 1968)


Video: 'Eyes On The Prize - (Part 10) The Promised Land 1967–1968' (Poor People’s March on Washington at 44:35)

(Thursday, May 2, 1968, 7:00 p.m. CDT; during the Civil rights movement) — The Poor People’s Campaign, postponed after the Apr. 4, 1968, assassination of Martin Luther King, began tonight as more than 1,000 demonstrators moved to the Quitman County Courthouse in Marks Mississippi. Continue reading Poor People’s March on Washington begins 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 2 1968)

Columbia students begin occupation of campus buildings 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1968)


Video: 'Columbia Revolt 1968' (Apr. 23, 1968, at 5:15)

(Tuesday, April 23, 1968, 2:00 p.m. EST; during the Columbia University protests of 1968, the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War, and the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — Columbia University students began a non-violent occupation of campus buildings today at the the Ivy League institution in New York City that lasted nearly a week, taking over Hamilton Hall and barricading the Dean of Columbia College in his office. Continue reading Columbia students begin occupation of campus buildings 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1968)

Sanitation strike that brought King to Memphis ends 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1968)


Video: 'AFSCME Martin Luther King Documentary 'I Am A Man' Memphis Sanitation Strike' (strike ends at 8:31)

(Tuesday, April 16, 1968; during the Memphis sanitation strike, part of the Civil rights movement) — The bitter sanitation strike that had brought the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis and his death from a sniper’s bullet on Apr. 4, 1968, ended today after 65 days. Continue reading Sanitation strike that brought King to Memphis ends 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1968)

LBJ signs Civil Rights Act of 1968 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 11 1968)


Video: 'The President: April 1968. MP895.' (Apr. 11, 1968, at 22:31)

(Thursday, April 11, 1968, 5:00 p.m. EST; during the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — One week after the assassination of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson today signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. Continue reading LBJ signs Civil Rights Act of 1968 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 11 1968)

Funeral services for MLK begin in Atlanta 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1968)


Video: 'Dr. King's Funeral Service'

(Tuesday, April 9, 1968, 10:30 a.m. EST; during the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — Funeral services were held today in Atlanta for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., beginning with a private service for family and friends at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King and his father had both served as senior pastors, five days after the civil rights leader was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Continue reading Funeral services for MLK begin in Atlanta 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1968)

King’s widow leads march of 42,000 in Memphis 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 8 1968)


Video: 'April 8, 1968: Memphis March Honors MLK'

(Monday, April 8, 1968; during the Memphis sanitation strike, part of the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — An estimated 42,000 people, led by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, silently marched through Memphis today in honor of her late husband, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Continue reading King’s widow leads march of 42,000 in Memphis 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 8 1968)

King’s widow, children view his body in Atlanta 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 7 1968)


Video: 'Eyes On The Prize - (Part 10) The Promised Land 1967–1968' (Apr. 7, 1968, at 41:34)

(Sunday, April 7, 1968; during the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — Coretta Scott King and her four children viewed the body of her husband today as he lay in state at Sisters Chapel on the campus of Spelman College in Atlanta.
Continue reading King’s widow, children view his body in Atlanta 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 7 1968)

Body of MLK Jr. flown to Atlanta 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 5 1968)


Video: 'MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S CASKET ARRIVES AT MEMPHIS AIRPORT APRIL 5, 1968 85614'

(Friday, April 5, 1968, 11:30 a.m. CST; during the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — One day after the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., the casket containing his body was loaded aboard an American Airlines Convair chartered by Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy today at the Memphis Airport for a flight to Atlanta. Continue reading Body of MLK Jr. flown to Atlanta 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 5 1968)

Robert Kennedy urges ‘compassion’ after King murder 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968)


Video: 'The Greatest Speech Ever - Robert F Kennedy Announcing The Death Of Martin Luther King'

(Thursday, April 4, 1968, 9:30 p.m. EST; during the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, moved almost to tears by the death of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., told a street corner rally of African-Americans tonight in Indianapolis, Indiana, that they must strive for “love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another.” Continue reading Robert Kennedy urges ‘compassion’ after King murder 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968)