Today in History: February 21, Malcolm X shot and killed at age 39
Published 20 Feb 2025
Today in history:
On Feb. 21, 1965, civil rights activist Malcolm X, 39, was shot to death inside Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom in New York. Three men identified as members of the Nation of Islam were convicted of murder and imprisoned; all were eventually paroled. (The convictions of two of the men were dismissed in November 2021 as prosecutors said new evidence had undermined the case against them.)
Also on this date:
In 1885, President Chester Arthur dedicated the Washington Monument.
In 1911, composer Gustav Mahler, despite a fever, conducted the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall in what turned out to be his final concert. (He died the following May).
In 1916, the Battle of Verdun, the longest battle of World War I, began in northeastern France.
In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon began a historic visit to China as he arrived in Beijing and met with Chinese leader Mao Zedong.