News release from the History Center announcing the next lecture in the George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series.
Join the History Center virtually for “To Tame the Savageness of Man: Robert F. Kennedy and the 1968 Indiana Primary”
Fort Wayne, Indiana (March 25, 2021) – On Sunday, April 4, the History Center will present the next edition of the 2020-2021 George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series. “To Tame the Savageness of Man: Robert F. Kennedy and the 1968 Indiana Primary” will be presented by Senior Editor of the Indiana Historical Society Press, Ray A. Boomhower.
On April 4, 1968, U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy arrived in Indiana to campaign for the Indiana Democratic presidential primary. As Kennedy prepared to fly from an appearance in Muncie to Indianapolis, he learned that civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. had been shot. Despite warnings from Indianapolis Police that they could not guarantee his safety, Kennedy decided to proceed with plans to address an outdoor rally to be held in the heart of the city’s African American community.
On that evening, Kennedy broke the news of King’s death in an impassioned, impromptu speech on the need for compassion in the face of violence. Boomhower will commemorate the 53rd anniversary of Kennedy’s speech, explaining what brought the politician to Indiana that day and exploring the characters and events of the 1968 Indiana Democratic presidential primary.
Due to recent COVID-19 health restrictions, in-person lectures will not be offered to visitors. The lecture will be held at 2:00 pm and patrons may receive the access link to the virtual lecture by contacting the History Center in advance at administration@fwhistorycenter.org. All George R. Mather lectures are made possible through the generous support of the Floyd and Betty Lou Lancia Family Foundation and Indiana Humanities.