Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on this day, January 30

1948 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi; b. 1869), Indian leader and proponent of civil disobedience was assassinated in New Delhi by a Hindu fanatic, Nathuram Godse. The Mahatma (Great Soul) was on his way to evening prayer at Birla House.

Gandhi's principle of satyagraha – using nonviolent methods when working for social change – not only helped deliver independence to India, but has also inspired countless activists, such as Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. During a trip to India in 1959, King met some of Gandhi's followers and decided the Gandhian method was the one to use in the US civil rights movement, though King had been influenced by Gandhi (and Henry David Thoreau, one of Gandhi's influences) as early as 1950.

The Indian lawyer, activist and spiritual leader was shot three times in the chest from point blank range. Gandhi died with the name of Lord Rama on his lips – his last words: "Hey Ram!"