Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, while advocating for civil rights and social justice. A prominent leader in the American civil rights movement, King championed nonviolent protest and civil disobedience as means to combat racial segregation and discrimination. His efforts were pivotal in achieving significant legal changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King's assassination shocked the nation, sparking protests and riots, but it also solidified his legacy as a martyr for the cause, inspiring future generations to continue the fight for equality and justice.