April 03

On April 3, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. In his 'I’ve Been to the Mountaintop' sermon, he reflected on civil rights struggles and visions of equality. King spoke prophetically about his own mortality and the future of the movement. His words conveyed hope, resilience, and a call for nonviolent protest against racial injustice. Tragically, he was assassinated the following day, turning the speech into his final message. Today, the address is remembered for its powerful rhetoric and its prelude to national mourning. It remains a symbol of King’s enduring legacy in the fight for civil rights.

On April 3, 2008, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Child Protective Services surrounded the Yearning for Zion Ranch, a remote compound of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). The intervention followed letters from a 16-year-old girl alleging forced marriage by church leader Warren Jeffs. Authorities removed 533 women and children to assess claims of underage unions and potential abuse. The operation sparked national debate over the balance between religious freedom and child protection. Court battles ensued over the state’s authority to separate families on allegations alone. The raid and its aftermath remain a landmark case in U.S. legal history regarding minority sects and the welfare of minors.

On April 3, 2009, Jiverly Antares Wong, a U.S. citizen of Ecuadorian origin, entered the American Civic Association immigration center armed with two semi-automatic pistols. He fatally shot thirteen people and injured four others before committing suicide. Many victims were immigrants seeking legal and translation assistance, intensifying the shock within refugee and immigrant communities. Authorities investigated Wong’s background and digital footprint but found no clear motive for his actions. The shooting prompted reviews of security measures at public assistance centers nationwide. Survivors and the families of victims received counseling and support in the aftermath. The tragedy remains one of the deadliest mass shootings in Upstate New York history.

On April 3, 2018, a 38-year-old woman armed with a semi-automatic pistol arrived at YouTube’s campus in San Bruno, California, and opened fire on employees walking outside the main office. Three people were shot and received medical attention, all surviving their injuries. Police officers quickly responded, and the suspect died by suicide before being apprehended. The incident triggered an immediate lockdown and evacuation of the campus, which houses thousands of workers across YouTube and Google divisions. In response, YouTube and Google conducted a comprehensive review of their security protocols and increased on-site protective measures. The motive behind the attack was never fully disclosed, though investigators explored potential workplace grievances. The event reinvigorated national conversations on workplace safety, mental health support, and gun control policies.