1963 — Medgar Evers’ Funeral Sparks National Mourning

Though Medgar Evers was assassinated on June 12, 1963, his funeral was held on June 13 and became a major civil rights moment. Evers was a Mississippi NAACP field secretary and a fierce advocate for desegregation and voting rights. His assassination stunned the country and became one of the galvanizing tragedies of the civil rights era. Over 5,000 mourners attended his funeral in Jackson, Mississippi, and the event drew national press coverage. The U.S. Navy veteran was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. His funeral not only honored his legacy but became a rallying point that added urgency to the Civil Rights Act efforts. The events of June 13 spotlighted the life, sacrifice, and ongoing struggle for civil rights in the United States.