Memphis museum marks 56 years since King assassination

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy is being honored all over the country Thursday, but especially in Memphis, where Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 56 years ago, at the Lorraine Motel in downtown Memphis.

The site is now the National Civil Rights Museum, and visitors from all over the country were honoring Dr. King.

“We find it quite honorable to be able to be here today and take it all in and be in awe of the moment,” said Derrica Virtue, of Georgia.

Members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority made the trip to Memphis, to stand feet away from the spot where King was shot and killed while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.

“I was 11 and had no idea how what significance it had at that time,” said Doris Keith, also from Georgia.

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Families from all over the country marked this day in history

“In school we’ve heard about him pretty much every year, and just his impact has really lasted and caused a lot of great movements in our country,” said Emma Raducha, from Michigan.

It was a “reminder of what it took to get here and how much we have to do,” said Jonathan Chu from California.

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Dr. King’s son, Martin Luther King III, hoped this is only the beginning.

“Amazing to see people come from around the world to pay tribute however also hopefully some ideas are inspired. For people to create change,” King said.

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