39 bells

On April 4 at 7:05 p.m. EDT, the Memorial Bell Tower tolled 39 times, joining the national commemoration of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was 39 years old when he passed, and 2018 marks the 50th anniversary since his death at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN.

Since the assassination news rippled across the country, bells first rang at the National Civil Rights Museum at 6:01 p.m. CST. Bells then chimed in the City of Memphis at 6:03 p.m. CST, 6:05 p.m. CST nationally and 6:07 p.m. CST internationally.

This memorial effort was organized by the National Civil Rights Museum, and was brought to our attention by Meka Egwuekwe ’91, a board member of the Museum and this year’s Non Sibi Day speaker. Egwuekwe is the founder of CodeCrew, an organization that is helping change the odds and the perception of hope for the Memphis’ poor and underrepresented kids. CodeCrew’s after-school and summer programs provide girls and minorities with valuable access and exposure to computer science to pique their interest in technology, engineering, and math.

In addition to the campus remembrance, Sidney Lumet’s legendary two-part documentary, King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis, was screened for students, faculty and staff earlier this week. The film consists of only original newsreel and other primary material.