Shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy took the stage at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

It was to declare victory in California's presidential primary.

The celebration ended in tragedy. As aides led Senator Kennedy through the hotel's kitchen to the press area, gunman Sirhan Sirhan stepped out from his hiding place and opened fire.

Kennedy did not survive.

The hotel didn't last either. The assassination contributed to the slow decline of the historic property.

The hotel closed in 1989 and was demolished in 2005. Did we lose a crucial piece of history when we lost the Ambassador? See what Patt says in the video player above.

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