JUNEAU – On April 7, the Alaska State Library Historical Collections will host a 50th anniversary screening of rare video footage of Senator Ted Kennedy speaking to the 1968 Alaska Democratic Convention about the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The video screening will be followed by a discussion with UAS Associate Professor of History, Dr. David Noon.
U.S. Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy delivered the keynote address to the Alaska Democratic Convention, on April 7, 1968, in Sitka, three days after the death of Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. After introductions by Alaska State Representative Eugene Guess and U.S. Senator Ernest Gruening, Kennedy addressed the challenges of the time with personal remarks on Dr. King’s influence, the Civil Rights Movement, and updates on the civil unrest in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Senator Robert “Bobby” Kennedy, who was running for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, was originally slated to give the keynote speech, but he decided to remain in Washington to monitor the rioting that followed King’s death.
The year 1968 will always be framed by the events of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, civil unrest, and a contentious presidential election. Smithsonian Magazine recently referred to 1968 as the “the year that shattered America.”
Following the 30-minute video, Dr. Noon will speak about the historical events that made 1968 such a tumultuous year.
Please join the Alaska State Library Historical Collections staff on Saturday, April 7, at 2:00 PM at the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff (APK) State Library, Archives, and Museum lecture hall for this free showing of the Kennedy speech and a discussion by Dr. David Noon. The APK is located at 395 Whittier Street, Juneau.
For further information, please contact:
Damon Stuebner
907-465-2565
damon.stuebner@alaska.gov
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