1968 – Robert F. Kennedy Dies After Championing Civil Rights

On June 6, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy died from gunshot wounds sustained the previous day. His assassination was a profound blow to the civil rights movement. RFK had become a key ally to Black Americans, especially after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968. His presidential campaign championed racial justice, economic equality, and an end to urban poverty. Many African Americans saw in Kennedy a rare white politician who genuinely understood and addressed their struggles. His outreach to marginalized communities and calls for reconciliation resonated deeply during a turbulent period. His death plunged the nation further into political despair and symbolized the loss of yet another voice for equity. The legacy of his support for civil rights continues to be remembered each June 6.