On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X, the influential African American civil rights leader, was assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. He was preparing to deliver a speech when three members of the Nation of Islam, a black Muslim organization that Malcolm X had recently left, shot him 15 times at close range in front of his wife, Betty Shabazz, and their four daughters.
Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, had been a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, known for his powerful oratory skills and his advocacy for black empowerment and self-determination. He had joined the Nation of Islam in 1952 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of its most charismatic and influential leaders.
However, Malcolm X grew disillusioned with the Nation of Islam and its leader, Elijah Muhammad, and left the organization in 1964. He embraced Sunni Islam and traveled to Africa and the Middle East, where he developed a more global perspective on the struggle for racial justice.
Upon his return to the United States, Malcolm X founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity and continued to speak out against racism, segregation, and violence against African Americans. His assassination shocked the nation and sparked riots in several cities.
Three Nation of Islam members were convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison. The assassination of Malcolm X remains a tragic and pivotal moment in the history of the civil rights movement, and his legacy continues to inspire activists and advocates for racial justice to this day.
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