Today in 1968, 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated outside of his hotel room in Memphis, Tennessee. He was a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement and Nobel Peace Prize laureate that is looked at today as one of the most important figures in our nation's history.

The Current is reflecting on the last 50 years today from noon to 4 when production manager Derrick Stevens will host "MLK 50: The Songs of the Civil Rights Movement". You can listen on 89.3 or stream live here.

As we have lots of amazing programming coming up on the air today, we won't be able to play everything we want to at 9:30 - but give us all your suggestions and help us brainstorm so we can get some extra content on the air this morning in honor of Dr. King.

For today's Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear for MLK?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive. Or, when you register for a Minnesota Public Radio account, you can send requests via Alexa, too Just say "Alexa, ask The Current to play Song by Artist" e.g. "Alexa, ask The Current to play Left of the Dial by The Replacements."

Songs played

A Tribe Called Quest - We The People....
Nina Simone - To Be Young, Gifted and Black
Bob Marley and The Wailers - One Love, People Get Ready
Bread - Mother Freedom
Michael Kiwanuka - Black Man In A White World
U2 - Pride
Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions - We're A Winner
Sly and the Family Stone - Everyday People
James Brown - It's a New Day