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cover of episode The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Part I

The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Part I

2025/3/25
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Stuff You Should Know
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This chapter explores Martin Luther King Jr.'s rise to prominence and the various pressures and criticisms he faced leading up to his assassination.
  • MLK's prominence began with the Montgomery bus boycott, often seen as the start of the U.S. civil rights era.
  • He was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1957 and named Time's Man of the Year in 1963.
  • Though celebrated, MLK faced criticism from both white and black Americans, especially regarding his nonviolent approach.
  • His vocal opposition to the Vietnam War further alienated some supporters.
  • MLK's focus shifted from civil rights to broader economic justice with initiatives like the Poor People's Campaign.

Shownotes Transcript

When he was murdered by an assassin’s bullet, MLK was going through a hard time in his life and many close to him say that he knew the end was near. But even he couldn’t have predicted the impact his death would have – good and ill – on the United States.

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