Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic civil rights leader and advocate for nonviolent resistance, was assassinated by a white sniper while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. His murder triggered a national crisis, sparking uprisings in over 100 U.S. cities. Major rebellions in Washington, D.C., Chicago, and other urban centers left 46 people dead. In response, the federal government deployed over 20,000 troops and 34,000 National Guardsmen to restore order. The assassination marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement and intensified calls for justice and reform.

Adam Clayton Powell Jr., influential congressman and civil rights leader, died at the age of 63 in Miami. As the first African American elected to Congress from New York, he served nearly three decades and was a powerful voice for racial justice, labor rights, and anti-poverty initiatives. Powell chaired the House Education and Labor Committee, helping to pass key legislation in the 1960s that shaped America’s social safety net.

Senegal officially gained independence from France on April 4, 1960, marking the end of colonial rule and the beginning of sovereign nationhood. Under the leadership of Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegal became a symbol of African intellectualism and cultural pride, playing a key role in the Pan-African movement. April 4 is celebrated annually as Senegal’s Independence Day.

Speaking before the Overseas Press Club in New York City, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. publicly announced his opposition to the Vietnam War. In his powerful speech, later echoed in “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” delivered the same day at Riverside Church, King connected the war to broader issues of poverty, racism, and moral decay in America. His stance drew criticism from allies and adversaries alike but marked a pivotal moment as he expanded the civil rights movement’s focus to include global peace and justice.

Richard Dean Parsons was born in Brooklyn, New York. He became the first African American to lead a major non-minority U.S. savings institution when he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Dime Savings Bank of New York in 1988. Parsons later served as CEO of Time Warner (2002–2007) and chairman of Citigroup (2009–2012), earning a reputation as a skilled crisis manager and one of the most influential Black executives in American corporate history.

Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri. Raised in both St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas, she became one of the most influential voices of the 20th century. A multifaceted talent, Angelou was an acclaimed author, poet, historian, songwriter, playwright, dancer, performer, producer, and civil rights activist. Her powerful works, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, continue to inspire generations.

Born McKinley Morganfield in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, Muddy Waters would go on to become one of the most influential blues musicians of the 20th century. His electrified Delta blues style laid the foundation for modern Chicago blues and deeply influenced the development of rock ‘n’ roll. Known as the “Father of Modern Chicago Blues,” his legacy lives on through artists he inspired, including the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton.