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Thousands due at King anniversary US crowds mark King anniversary
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of people are expected to gather in the US city of Memphis to mark 40 years since the death of civil rights leader Martin Luther King. Crowds have gathered in the US city of Memphis to mark 40 years since the death of legendary civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
Crowds will converge on the Lorraine Motel, where he was shot dead aged 39. The commemorations focus on the former Lorraine Motel, now a civil rights museum, where he was shot dead aged 39.
Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Hillary Clinton are expected to attend, but not Mrs Clinton's Democratic rival Barack Obama. Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Hillary Clinton are expected to attend, but her Democratic rival Barack Obama will be campaigning in Indiana.
Correspondents say Dr King's campaign for equal rights by non-violent means inspired millions around the world. Dr King's campaign for equal rights by non-violent means inspired millions.
His "I have a dream" speech is considered among the greatest ever made. His "I have a dream" speech in Washington in 1963 is considered among the greatest ever made.
Candle-lit vigilCandle-lit vigil
Events include a "recommitment march" through the city, highlighting Dr King's ideals of social justice, and the laying of wreaths at the site of his assassination. A "recommitment march" is to be held through Memphis to highlight Dr King's ideals of social justice. Wreaths will be laid at the site of his assassination.
The Lorraine Motel is now a civil rights museum The wreath on the motel balcony marks the spot where Dr King was shot
His son, Martin Luther King III, and civil rights campaigner the Rev Al Sharpton will lead the march, which will be followed by an evening candle-lit vigil. His son, Martin Luther King III, and civil rights campaigner the Rev Al Sharpton are expected to lead the march, which will be followed by an evening candle-lit vigil.
Dr King was killed by a rifle shot as he helped organise a strike by sanitation workers, then among the poorest in the city. Dr King was killed by a rifle round as he helped organise a strike by sanitation workers, then among the poorest in the city.
The BBC's Andy Gallacher says that while conspiracy theories abound about his death, it is his legacy that will be celebrated. James Earl Ray, who admitted firing the fatal shot, died in prison in 1998.
The "I have a dream" speech inspired millions, and Dr King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination. The BBC's Andy Gallacher says that while conspiracy theories abound about Dr King's death, it is his legacy that will be celebrated.
Dr King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination.
"He pulled down the walls of fear, he changed the laws of legal apartheid in our country, he set in motion the right to vote which has transformed democratic governments around the world," the Rev Jesse Jackson, who was with him in his final moments, told the BBC."He pulled down the walls of fear, he changed the laws of legal apartheid in our country, he set in motion the right to vote which has transformed democratic governments around the world," the Rev Jesse Jackson, who was with him in his final moments, told the BBC.
The former motel was converted into a National Civil Rights Museum in 1991. The Lorraine Motel was turned into a National Civil Rights Museum in 1991.
Other US events being held to commemorate Martin Luther King's death, include an appearance in Indianopolis by Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert Kennedy, who gave a passionate speech after Dr King's death and was himself assassinated two months later. Other US events being held to commemorate Dr King's death include an appearance in Indianapolis by Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert Kennedy, who was himself assassinated two months later.
A special exhibition on his final days and funeral is due to open in his birthplace, Atlanta. A special exhibition on Dr King's final days and funeral is due to open in his birthplace, Atlanta.
Members of the US Congress paid tribute to Dr King in speeches on Thursday. Members of the US Congress paid tribute to him in speeches on Thursday.