The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. occurred on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. King, a prominent leader in the American civil rights movement, was shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. His death sparked widespread outrage and protests across the United States. James Earl Ray was arrested and charged with the murder. He pleaded guilty in 1969 and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. King's assassination had a profound impact on the civil rights movement and led to significant changes in legislation aimed at promoting racial equality in America.