March on Washington

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, commonly known as the March on Washington, was a huge gathering in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. People came together to demand equal rights and better jobs for African Americans. It was one of the most important events in the civil rights movement.

Many famous singers like Mahalia Jackson and Marian Anderson performed, and leaders gave powerful speeches. The most remembered speech was by Martin Luther King Jr., who stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his dream of a world without racism or racial segregation.

The march was organized by Bayard Rustin and A. Philip Randolph. They brought together many groups to support the cause of "jobs and freedom." About 250,000 people attended, making it one of the largest political rallies in U.S. history. The event helped lead to important laws, like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Background

Main article: Civil rights movement

African Americans were legally freed from slavery and granted citizenship and voting rights after the American Civil War, but faced many restrictions and discrimination, especially in the South. This system, known as Jim Crow laws, kept black people from voting and facing unfair treatment.

In the 1960s, civil rights leaders planned a big march in Washington, D.C., to demand equal rights. Earlier attempts to organize such marches happened in the 1940s. The 1963 march happened during a time of growing protests across the United States and just before important laws were passed to help protect civil rights.

Planning and organization

A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin started planning the March on Washington in December 1961. They wanted to focus on jobs and asked for a public works program to help black people find work. In early 1963, they announced plans for a big march on Washington for jobs.

In June 1963, leaders from different groups formed the Council for United Civil Rights Leadership. This group included important figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Roy Wilkins. They worked together to organize the march and set goals like passing civil rights laws, ending school segregation, and creating jobs for unemployed people.

The march aimed to bring attention to both civil rights and economic issues. Organizers made sure to plan carefully, with Bayard Rustin handling logistics and many volunteers helping with details. Despite some disagreements and concerns, the group united around these important goals.

Convergence

Thousands of people traveled by road, rail, and air to Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963, for the March on Washington. Many came from cities such as Boston, Milwaukee, Little Rock, and St. Louis. Some participants took long bus rides, with one group from Birmingham, Alabama, making a 750-mile journey. Despite fears of violence, the trip was peaceful, and many sang songs of freedom during the ride.

The event required extensive security preparations. Police officers, National Guard members, and soldiers were deployed to keep everyone safe. Hospitals prepared for any emergencies, and liquor sales were banned in Washington, D.C., for the day. The march was moved to the Lincoln Memorial to make it less threatening to Congress, and a special sound system was set up so that everyone could hear the speeches and music.

March

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place on August 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. It was a big event where many people gathered to support civil and economic rights for African Americans. The march got a lot of attention because it was shown on television, interrupting regular programs. Many people traveled by bus, train, and plane to attend.

The march started at the Washington Monument and ended at the Lincoln Memorial. Famous speakers and musicians gave performances and speeches there. Even though some people were worried about problems, the event was peaceful. Many marchers carried signs with messages about freedom and equal rights.

Speakers

Representatives from each of the sponsoring organizations spoke to the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington. The speakers included key leaders from civil rights groups, religious organizations, and labor unions. Notably, no women were among the official speakers, though dancer and actress Josephine Baker spoke during the preliminary offerings.

The order of the speakers included A. Philip Randolph, Daisy Bates, Dr. Eugene Carson Blake, John Lewis, Walter Reuther, Floyd McKissick, Rabbi Uri Miller, Whitney Young, Mathew Ahmann, Roy Wilkins, Rabbi Joachim Prinz, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech became famous for its powerful call for an end to racism in the United States.

Singers

Gospel legend Mahalia Jackson sang songs like "I've been 'buked, and I've been scorned" and "How I Got Over". Marian Anderson performed "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", recalling her earlier famous concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939.

Joan Baez led the crowd in songs such as "We Shall Overcome" and "Oh Freedom". Musician Bob Dylan performed "When the Ship Comes In" and "Only a Pawn in Their Game". Peter, Paul and Mary sang "If I Had a Hammer" and Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind", while Odetta performed "I'm On My Way".

Celebrities

The March on Washington featured many famous people who supported the cause. Notable African American celebrities who attended included Josephine Baker, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, and Sammy Davis Jr., among others. The event also drew support from white and Latino celebrities such as Tony Curtis, Paul Newman, and Marlon Brando. Judy Garland was originally planned to perform but could not due to other commitments.

Meeting with President Kennedy

After the March on Washington, several leaders met with President Kennedy at the White House to discuss civil rights legislation. Kennedy had watched the speeches and was very impressed. The meeting included important figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and A. Philip Randolph, among others.

During the discussion, labor leader Walter Reuther explained how he was helping business leaders understand the importance of addressing civil rights. The March was seen as a success, and it helped support Kennedy's efforts to pass his civil rights bill. This meeting showed how civil rights leaders could speak directly with those in power to make important changes.

Media coverage

The March on Washington received a lot of attention from newspapers, television, and radio. Many cameras and reporters were there to show the event to people all over the country. Some broadcasts showed parts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I have a dream" speech.

The Voice of America shared the speeches with people in other countries, translating them into many languages. The United States Information Agency also made a film about the march to show in embassies around the world. Some writers and media people did not agree with the march and said negative things about it.

Responses and memories

Many people who joined the March on Washington felt it was a powerful moment in history. Some said it made them feel part of something big and important, like being with a huge group all moving together.

Others had mixed feelings. Some thought the march did not go far enough, while a few believed it would not bring real change. Even so, many remembered the day as special and important for the civil rights movement.

Effects and legacy

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom made a lasting impact on American history and civil rights. Many people saw the march as a key moment that helped push the government to pass important laws, like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws aimed to end segregation and give all Americans, especially African Americans, equal rights.

The march also started a tradition of holding big rallies in Washington, D.C., called “Marches on Washington.” Over the years, many groups have used this name for their events to draw attention to their causes. In 2013, to mark the 50th anniversary of the original march, President Barack Obama honored one of the march’s main organizers, Bayard Rustin, with a special award. Even today, people continue to hold marches to support civil rights and other important issues.

Analysis

In 2013, the Economic Policy Institute created reports called "The Unfinished March" to look at the goals of the original March on Washington and see how much progress has been made. These reports say that while there have been some legal changes, many important goals like better housing, good schools, and fair jobs are still not fully achieved.

Dedrick Muhammad of the NAACP pointed out that differences in income and homeownership between racial groups have grown since 1963 and got even worse during the Great Recession.