1968 - King Assassinated

April 4, 1968 - The Baptist minister who believes in non-violent protest has himself become a victim of violence. Inspirational leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is fatally shot in Memphis, Tennessee. More than 100,000 people attend King's funeral in Atlanta. A statue honoring him will be erected in Charlotte's Marshall Park, and dedicated on April 5, 1980. The nation will honor King's birthday as a national holiday observed the third Monday in January each year.