In Pictures: How Martin Luther King turned his dream into reality for minorities

The pastor and civil rights campaigner was assassinated on April 4 1968 on a hotel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee.

Published Apr 4, 2018

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. makes his last public appearance at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee the day before his assassination (Charles Kelly/AP)

Martin Luther King was assassinated 50 years ago while on the balcony of a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee.

He was the figurehead for the civil rights movement that fought against racial segregation in the US and inspired non-violent civil disobedience to effect change.

His powerful oratory, including his memorable I Have A Dream speech, put the issue of racial discrimination at the centre of debate.

The political landscape has changed in the US to the extent that Barack Obama was elected the first African-American president in 2008.

Demonstrators, including Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., stream over an Alabama River bridge at the city limits of Selma (AP) — Demonstrators, including Dr Martin Luther King Jr, stream over an Alabama River bridge at the city limits of Selma (AP)

Martin Luther King Jr (right) receiving an honorary degree from Newcastle University (Derek Hawes/Newcastle University/PA) — Martin Luther King Jr receiving an honorary degree from Newcastle University (Derek Hawes/Newcastle University/PA)

Martin Luther King Jr preaching to a capacity crowd from the pulpit at the National Cathedral in Washington in his last Sunday sermon before he was killed (John Rous/AP)

National Guardsmen in a jeep in Washington during unrest in June 1968 following Dr King's assassination (Charles Harrity/AP) — National Guardsmen in a jeep in Washington during unrest in June 1968 following Dr King’s assassination (Charles Harrity/AP)

Martin Luther King in 1965 addressed a joint session of the Massachusetts Legislature in Boston (AP)

Birds sit atop the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington (Carolyn Kaster/AP) — Birds sit atop the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial in Washington (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Martin Luther King during a visit to London (PA)

Martin Luther King walking in Embankment Gardens in London with the Rev Ralph Abernathy (PA)