Remembering 鈥榯he Dream,鈥� 57 Years Later
On Aug. 28, 1963, some 250,000 people gathered in the nation鈥檚 capital for the March on Washington
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom drew some 250,000 people to the nation鈥檚 capital in a clarion call for racial justice. The event, culminating with Martin Luther King Jr.鈥檚 famous 鈥淚 Have a Dream鈥� speech on Aug. 28, 1963, of President John F. Kennedy to initiate a federal civil rights bill that his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, signed into law the following year.
On the 57th anniversary of the march that set the standard for anti-racist demonstrations, a renewed call for justice is echoing across the country following the murders of聽,听,听,听,听,听,听 and so many others.
In honor of the historic 1963 event and the current, ongoing demonstrations for racial justice, the Rev. Al Sharpton鈥檚 National Action Network and King鈥檚 son, Martin Luther King III, are leading a new 鈥淕et Off Our Necks鈥� Commitment March on Washington today. The organizers are asking demonstrators 鈥� not only in Washington but also around the country 鈥� to renew their fight for fairness and equity in the policing and criminal justice systems. Learn more about today鈥檚 March on Washington .
Lead photo by聽Marion S. Trikosko/Library of Congress
More than 250,000 people gathered along the National Mall as part of the March on Washington in 1963. In honor of the event鈥檚 57th anniversary and the current, ongoing demonstrations for racial justice, the Rev. Al Sharpton鈥檚 National Action Network and Martin Luther King Jr.鈥檚 son, Martin Luther King III, are leading a new 鈥淕et Off Our Necks鈥� Commitment March on Washington today.
Everett Collection Inc/Alamy Stock Photo
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists lead fellow demonstrators at the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. The organizers of the march selected Aug. 28 for the historic event in honor of the date that Emmett Till was murdered.聽
MediaPunch Inc/Alamy Stock Photo
Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington. The event included King delivering his historic 鈥淚 Have a Dream鈥� speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
American Photo Archive/Alamy Stock Photo
Marchers carry signs for equal rights, integrated schools, decent housing and an end to racism. Today, the March on Washington continues to inspire people to continue the fight for fairness and equity.
Warren Leffler/Library of Congress
Civil rights leaders meet with President John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office of the White House after the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The following year, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law.聽
Warren Leffler/Library of Congress
Thousands of marchers walk to the Lincoln Memorial on Connecticut Avenue during the March on Washington. Fifty-seven years later, there鈥檚 a renewed call for racial justice across the country.
Flip Schulke Archives/Getty Images
Marchers arrive at Union Station for the March on Washington in 1963. The demonstration, which concluded with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.鈥檚 鈥淚 Have a Dream鈥� speech, attracted a quarter of a million people to the nation鈥檚 capital.
Marion S. Trikosko
Some 250,000 people participated in the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. The march pressured federal lawmakers to pass civil rights legislation and set the standard for anti-racist demonstrations.聽
Warren Leffler/Library of Congress
Marchers carry signs demanding justice and equity on an array of issues during the 1963 March on Washington. Today, 57 years after the historic march, the event continues to inspire people pursuing racial justice.聽聽
Marion S. Trikosko
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. listens at the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. A year later, federal civil rights legislation would be signed into law.
MediaPunch Inc/Alamy Stock Photo
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. The event was a clarion call for racial justice.
Bettmann/Getty Images
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the crowd of demonstrators outside the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington.
Francis Miller/Getty Images
