This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7330165.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| US crowds mark King anniversary | US crowds mark King anniversary |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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 have gathered in the US city of Memphis to mark 40 years since the death of legendary civil rights leader Martin Luther King. |
| The commemorations focus on the former Lorraine Motel, now a civil rights museum, 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 her Democratic rival Barack Obama will be campaigning in Indiana. | Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Hillary Clinton are expected to attend, but her Democratic rival Barack Obama will be campaigning in Indiana. |
| Dr King's campaign for equal rights by non-violent means inspired millions. | Dr King's campaign for equal rights by non-violent means inspired millions. |
| His "I have a dream" speech in Washington in 1963 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 vigil | Candle-lit vigil |
| Under rainy skies, a "recommitment march" was held through Memphis to highlight Dr King's ideals of social justice. Wreaths are being laid at the site of his assassination. | |
| Dr King's crusade for social justice still resonates today | |
| 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. | 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. |
| US President George W Bush paid tribute to the anti-segregation icon's legacy from Zagreb, Croatia. | |
| Mr Bush said: "Dr King was a man of courage and vision. He understood that love and compassion will always triumph over bitterness and hatred." | |
| Dr King was killed by a rifle round as he helped organise a strike by sanitation workers. | |
| James Earl Ray, who admitted firing the fatal shot, died in prison in 1998. | James Earl Ray, who admitted firing the fatal shot, died in prison in 1998. |
| The BBC's Andy Gallacher says that while conspiracy theories abound about Dr King's death, it is his legacy that will be celebrated. | 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. | 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 Lorraine Motel was turned 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 Dr King's death include an appearance in Indianapolis by Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert Kennedy, who 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 Dr King's 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 him in speeches on Thursday. | Members of the US Congress paid tribute to him in speeches on Thursday. |