Feb 21, 2025 - Politics & Policy

In photos: Marking 60 years since the assassination of Malcolm X

Russell Contreras

Malcolm X speaks at a Harlem rally on May 14, 1963. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Friday marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X (also known as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz) following a brief but lasting career as a civil rights advocate and Black nationalist.

Through the lens: Here are some images of Malcolm X's evolution from a life of crime, to a prominent leader in the Nation of Islam, to an international traveler investigating racism against Asians, to a cultural icon.

Malcolm X, then Malcolm Little, at age 18, at the time of an arrest for larceny, police photograph front and profile in Boston. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Malcolm X supporting some of his followers at the courthouse in Queens, New York, during a police brutality case. — Malcolm X supports some of his followers at the courthouse in Queens, New York, during a police brutality case. Photo: Lloyd Yearwood/Three Lions/Getty Images

Malcolm X talking to Nigerian students and African American locals in Harlem, New York, circa 1960-1965. — Malcolm X talking to Nigerian students and African Americans in Harlem, New York, circa 1960-1965. Photo: Lloyd Yearwood/Three Lions/Getty Images

Malcolm X at an outdoor rally, probably in New York City. — Malcolm X at an outdoor rally, likely in New York City. Photo: Bob Parent/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Muhammad Ali with Malcolm X at 125th St. and Seventh Ave. in New York City. Photo: John Peodincuk/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

An audience listens to Malcolm X, during press conference in offices of the National Memorial African Book Store on March 12, 1964, urging America's 22 million Black Americans to learn how to use shotguns and rifles, apparently by establishing and joining rifle clubs. — An audience listens to Malcolm X during a press conference at the National Memorial African Book Store in New York City on March 12, 1964, as he urges America's 22 million Black Americans to learn how to use shotguns and rifles to fight racism and violence. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X after a press conference at U.S. Capitol about Senate debate on Civil Rights Act of 1964, Washington, D.C., on March 26, 1964. — Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X after a press conference at the U.S. Capitol about the Senate debate on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Washington, D.C., on March 26, 1964. Photo: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Malcolm X at press conference, JFK airport, upon returning from Africa. Wife Betty Shabazz and four daughters are in rear. — Malcolm X at a press conference at New York's JFK airport upon returning from Africa. Betty Shabazz and four daughters are in the rear. Photo: Robert Parent/Getty Images

Malcolm X visiting the English town of Smethwick during a visit to the Midlands following a high-profile racist election in February 1965. He was investigating racism against Caribbeans and Asians in England. Photo: Staff/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

Furniture damaged by a fire-bomb lies outside of the home of Malcolm X in Elmhurst, New York, Feb. 15, 1965. — Furniture damaged by a firebomb lies outside of the home of Malcolm X in Elmhurst, New York, Feb. 15, 1965. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

New York police officers remove the body of Malcolm X from the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem after his fatal shooting just before a speech on February 21, 1965. — New York police officers remove the body of Malcolm X from the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem after his fatal shooting just before a speech on Feb. 21, 1965. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

A sheik administers blessing at the coffin of Malcolm X during funeral services at Faith Temple in New York on Feb. 27, 1965. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Young Lords Party member Juan Gonzalez, future columnist for the New York Daily News, as sits under a poster of Malcolm X on June 7, 1969. — Young Lords Party member Juan Gonzalez, future columnist for the New York Daily News, sits under a poster of Malcolm X on June 7, 1969. Photo: Bev Grant /Getty Images

Filmmaker Spike Lee wears some of his clothing line, including a baseball shirt with the 40 Acres and Mule logo of his film company, and a T-shirt and baseball cap with the Malcolm X logos on May 1, 1992. Photo: John van Hasselt/Sygma via Getty Images

Go deeper: Attorney wants Malcolm X FBI/CIA files to be declassified

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In photos: Marking 60 years since the assassination of Malcolm X

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