The Memphis sanitation workers' strike was a significant event in Black history that took place in 1968. The strike was sparked by the deaths of two African American sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, who were crushed to death in a malfunctioning garbage truck. The workers were demanding better working conditions, higher wages, and recognition of their union, AFSCME Local 1733.

Led by civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the sanitation workers began a strike on February 12, 1968. The strike drew national attention and support, as workers marched through the streets carrying signs that read, "I AM A MAN," highlighting their fight for dignity and respect.

Tragically, Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968, while supporting the striking workers. His death galvanized support for the strike, and ultimately, the city of Memphis agreed to the workers' demands for better pay and safety measures. The strike was a powerful example of the intersectionality of racial and economic justice and highlighted the ongoing struggle for civil rights and workers' rights in America.