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 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
US crowds mark King anniversary | US crowds mark King anniversary |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Crowds have gathered in the US city of Memphis, Tennessee, to mark 40 years since the assassination of legendary civil rights leader Martin Luther King. | Crowds have gathered in the US city of Memphis, Tennessee, to mark 40 years since the assassination 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 marked the milestone in Memphis, while the latter's Democratic rival Barack Obama spoke in Indiana. | |
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 King's ideals of social justice. Wreaths are being laid at the site of his assassination. | |
He understood that love and compassion will always triumph over bitterness and hatred President George W Bush Seeking answers on King's killerAnniversary in picturesTears and hopes on anniversary | |
His son, Martin Luther King III, and civil rights campaigner the Rev Al Sharpton were expected to lead the march, to 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. | US President George W Bush paid tribute to the anti-segregation icon's legacy from Zagreb, Croatia. |
Mr Bush said had been a "man of courage and vision" who understood that "love and compassion will always triumph over bitterness and hatred". | |
'Equality and justice' | 'Equality and justice' |
John McCain, who will be the Republican Party's presidential candidate in November's general election, spoke in front of the balcony where King was shot. | |
Marchers made their way in the rain to the motel where Dr King died | |
Addressing the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which King once headed, Mr McCain said changing times had only helped to make him seem a "bigger man". | |
"The quality of his character is only more apparent," he said. | |
"His good name will be honoured as long as the creed of America is honoured." | |
Mrs Clinton, who is competing with Mr Obama to be the Democratic Party's choice to run for president, spoke at the church where King gave a sermon the day before he died. | |
She described meeting him when she was 14 and, with tears in her eyes, recalled her despair a few years later on hearing the news of his murder. | |
The "journey is far from over", she said, but added that King would always carry Americans forward, so long as they remembered his inspirational legacy. | |
We are our brother's keeper, we are our sister's keeper, and either we go up together, or we go down together Barack Obama | |
"Because of him, after 219 years and 43 presidents who have all been white men, this generation will grow up taking for granted that a woman or an African-American could be president of the United States," she said. | |
Mr Obama, in Indiana, spoke not only of King but also of then Democratic presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, who was himself assassinated two months after the civil rights leader. | |
Mr Obama told a campaign rally that King had "preached the gospel of brotherhood, of equality and justice". | |
He said King had recognised that beyond people's colour, faith or class, "we all have a stake in one another, we are our brother's keeper, we are our sister's keeper, and either we go up together, or we go down together". | |
'Walls pulled down' | |
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. |
Dr King's crusade for social justice still resonates today | Dr King's crusade for social justice still resonates today |
The BBC's Andy Gallacher says that while conspiracy theories abound about King's death, it is his legacy that will be celebrated. | |
King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination. | |
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 King's death include an appearance in Indianapolis by Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert Kennedy. | |
A special exhibition on 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. |