Marching in 1963

ON AUGUST 28, 1963, more than 250,000 demonstrators descended upon the nation's capital to participate in the "March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom". Not only was it the largest demonstration for human rights in United States history, but it also brought a rare display of unity among the various civil rights organizations. The event began with a rally at the Washington Monument featuring several celebrities and musicians. Participants then marched the mile-long Mall to the Lincoln Memorial. The three-hour program at the Lincoln Memorial included speeches from important civil rights and religious leaders, including one of the most famous speeches ever made, the " I have a Dream" speech, made by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Afterwards, the day ended with a meeting between March leaders and President John F. Kennedy at the White House.