This Day In History

February 21st 1965: Malcolm X assassinated

On this day in 1965, the radical African American leader Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) was assassinated. He was killed at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City by members of the Nation of Islam, which he had previously been a leading member of. Malcolm X was a human rights activist and Muslim minister who campaigned for rights of African Americans. However, many have criticised him for his teachings as a member of Nation of Islam when he taught black supremacy and black nationalism, thus putting him at odds with the Civil Rights movement who preached integration and unity. His acrimonious split from the Nation of Islam led to three members shooting him as he was about to address a crowd. Talmadge Hayer, Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson were convicted of the murder.

“We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.”