There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad-free.

Listen with Wondry Plus in the Wondry app.

As a member of NoisorPlus at noisor.com or in Apple Podcasts,

or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts at IntoHistory.com.

It's late evening on April 4, 1968 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy is hunched over in the backseat of a car,

fervently making notes for an imminent speech. Robert is in the middle of his first presidential campaign. For two weeks, he's been relentlessly touring the United States. Holding rally after

rally, Robert's popularity is on the rise, and with his boyish smile in progressive politics,

the senator is quickly winning hearts across the country. But today's engagement is unexpectedly somber.

Just moments ago, Robert received word that civil rights leader Martin Luther King was assassinated.

The news broke while he was on his way to give a speech in one of Indianapolis's black neighborhoods.

Fearing riots, local police advised Robert to cancel the event. But the

senator refused, and now he's just about to reach the venue. As his vehicle comes to a halt

in a parking lot, Robert looks up to see a large crowd of people gathered in front of a flatbed truck.

Robert steps out of the car and climbs onto the back of the truck, sparking a round of cheers from the crowd.

It seems spirits are still high,

so the news of King's death must not have yet reached up.

It's Robert's duty to relay the tragedy.

I have some very sad news for all of you,

and I think sad news for all of our fellow citizens and people who love peace all over the world.

And that is that Martin Luther King was shot and was killed tonight.

Memphis.

...