Martin Luther King assassination - Exam
- 1. The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, stands as a pivotal moment in American history, marking the tragic end of one of the nation's most influential civil rights leaders. King was fatally shot by a sniper while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was in town to support a sanitation workers' strike. The shocking news of his death sparked outrage and despair across the nation, igniting protests and riots in numerous cities, as millions mourned the loss of a man who dedicated his life to advancing racial equality through nonviolent resistance. King’s commitment to peaceful activism and his ability to inspire through speeches, such as his iconic 'I Have a Dream' address, had made him a symbol of the struggle for civil rights. In the wake of his assassination, there were widespread calls for justice, leading to the capture of James Earl Ray, who was convicted of the murder. King's legacy, rooted in his unwavering belief in equality and justice, continues to resonate today, prompting ongoing discussions about race relations and social justice in the United States.
Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?
A) American President
B) Scientist
C) Professional Athlete
D) Civil Rights Activist
- 2. In which city was Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated?
A) Atlanta
B) New York City
C) Chicago
D) Memphis
- 3. Who shot Martin Luther King Jr.?
A) Lee Harvey Oswald
B) Malcolm X
C) James Earl Ray
D) John F. Kennedy
- 4. Which organization was Martin Luther King Jr. a prominent leader of?
A) Southern Christian Leadership Conference
B) National Rifle Association
C) Al-Qaeda
D) Greenpeace
- 5. What honor was Martin Luther King Jr. posthumously awarded in 1977?
A) Nobel Peace Prize
B) Presidential Medal of Freedom
C) Emmy Award
D) Grammy Award
- 6. What was the occupation of James Earl Ray at the time of the assassination?
A) Fugitive
B) Pilot
C) School Teacher
D) Doctor
- 7. Which U.S. president signed the bill into law making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday?
A) Ronald Reagan
B) Barack Obama
C) John F. Kennedy
D) Richard Nixon
- 8. How old was James Earl Ray when he died in prison?
A) 62
B) 55
C) 48
D) 70
- 9. Where was James Earl Ray captured following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.?
A) Chicago
B) Mexico City
C) London
D) Moscow
- 10. What was the initial sentence handed down to James Earl Ray for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.?
A) 10 years in prison
B) Death penalty
C) 99 years in prison
D) Life in prison without parole
- 11. Who took over leadership of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination?
A) Ralph Abernathy
B) Andrew Young
C) Jesse Jackson
D) Malcolm X
- 12. What was the response of many cities to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.?
A) Boycotts
B) Widespread riots and violence
C) Complete shutdown
D) Peaceful protests
- 13. Where was Martin Luther King Jr. when he was assassinated?
A) Ebenezer Baptist Church
B) Lorraine Motel
C) Lincoln Memorial
D) White House
- 14. How old was Martin Luther King Jr. when he was assassinated?
A) 45
B) 39
C) 50
D) 35
- 15. Who was the vice president of the U.S. at the time of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination?
A) Lyndon B. Johnson
B) Richard Nixon
C) Spiro Agnew
D) Hubert Humphrey
- 16. Where was Martin Luther King Jr. buried?
A) Washington D.C.
B) Chicago
C) Memphis
D) Atlanta
- 17. What is the name of the museum in Atlanta that honors Martin Luther King Jr.?
A) Civil Rights Museum
B) MLK Memorial Museum
C) Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
D) Freedom Park
- 18. Which famous author was friends with Martin Luther King Jr. and wrote the book 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X'?
A) Alex Haley
B) Maya Angelou
C) Toni Morrison
D) James Baldwin
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