Final answer:
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, leading to nationwide riots and profound upset. The event highlighted the severe racial divides in the United States and spurred civil unrest and protests against racial injustice.
Step-by-step explanation:
On April 4, 1968, a pivotal event in American history took place as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. King's assassination prompted a wave of shock and grief, leading to widespread riots and unrest in cities across the United States. Communities were polarized as people protested the continuation of racial injustice and the harsh treatment of African Americans, highlighting the deep divisions within the nation during a time of significant upheaval.
In response to King's death, many African American communities reacted with burning and looting, particularly targeting businesses that were not black-owned or those perceived as treating black customers poorly. Nationwide, there was a varied response, with some advocating for peace and others expressing outrage and demanding change more militarily. This era of conflict and contestation, marking a year of global protests and revolution, deeply affected the nation's courses in civil rights, war, and societal structures.