It’s been 40 years since the tragic death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. John Lyon reminds Arkansans that Jonesboro native Ray Sherman, then a news director for a Memphis radio station, was one of the first journalists on the scene. The Root has comprehensive coverage, including a compelling reflection piece from Marian Wright Edelman and another from Martin Johnson about how King’s death affected black music. Charlie Rose spoke to Tom Brokaw, John Hope Franklin, James Clyburn and Dr. Beverly Tatum. CNN.com has a special web section dedicated to Dr. King. Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post has this op-ed on “Two Black Americas.”

Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain spoke in Memphis today. However, his remarks were met with boos and interruptions. McCain opposed the creation of a federal holiday honoring Dr. King. Senator Barack Obama made these remarks about Dr. King today in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, but did not travel to Memphis, a decision with which Princeton professor Cornel West strongly disagrees.  Senator Hillary Clinton offered this video on her campaign website.

Taylor Branch, author of the outstanding three-volume series “America in the King Years,” spoke to the Washington Post about King’s challenge. “It was even bigger than race. It was whether we take our national purpose seriously, which is the full promise of equal citizenship,” said Branch who spoke at the Clinton School of Public Service last year.

I’m always reminded of Robert F. Kennedy’s words in Indianapolis, Indiana on the day of King’s death.  Ron Klain has this remembrance of the speech at New York Times.com.