The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last speech almost didn’t happen. The civil rights leader had been running a fever, and he thought a severe storm in Memphis, Tenn., would keep people from coming to the Mason Temple to hear him. So he planned to stay at the Lorraine Hotel and work on the Poor People’s Campaign, which was a priority.

But King went to the Temple, and on April 3, 1968, delivered his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, which those close to him saw as a premonition of what was in store.

When he arrived in Memphis, King was told of threats being circulated against him. He said it didn’t matter.

"... But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.”

He continued: “And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.”

The next day, King was assassinated, shot as stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel while leaving for dinner.

Watch as the Rev. Joseph Lowery, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and others close to King remember the last moments of his life.

MLK COVERAGE  

  
• Bernice King's memory of her father
• White students proved to be allies of Freedom Riders
• 29 facts about MLK
• Flashback Fotos: MLK in Atlanta