The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
It was 50 years ago today, on August 28, 1963, that the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place. The march is remembered as one of the largest political rallies for human rights in United States history. It was a call for civil and economic rights for African Americans. The March took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, August 28, 1963 and is perhaps best remembered for the words spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his famous "I have a Dream" speech given while standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
The march was organized by a group of civil rights, labor, and religious organizations under the theme "jobs, and freedom". Estimates of the number of participants varied from 200,000 to 300,000 and contemporary observers estimated that 75–80% of the marchers were African-American. Following is the program for the march:
Many believe that the march was an impetus for helping to pass the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965). The "I Have a Dream" speech was delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and is seen by many as a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. The speech began with a reference to the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed millions of slaves in 1863. Dr. King went on to say that "one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free". At the end of the speech, King departed from his prepared text. It is said that singer Mahalia Jackson yelled out "tell them about the dream Martin!" In this part of the speech, which is most quoted today, Dr. King described his dreams of freedom and equality. The text of the speech can be found here, but following are some of the most quoted lines:
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Following the March, the speakers traveled to the White House for a brief discussion of proposed civil rights legislation with President Kennedy. Kennedy had watched King's speech on TV and was very impressed. According to biographer Thomas C. Reeves, Kennedy "felt that he would be booed at the March, and also didn't want to meet with organizers before the March because he didn't want a list of demands. He arranged a 5 P.M. meeting at the White House with the 10 leaders on the 28th." Kennedy later said that he felt that the march was a victory for him as well—bolstering the chances for his civil rights bill.
The march was organized by a group of civil rights, labor, and religious organizations under the theme "jobs, and freedom". Estimates of the number of participants varied from 200,000 to 300,000 and contemporary observers estimated that 75–80% of the marchers were African-American. Following is the program for the march:
Many believe that the march was an impetus for helping to pass the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965). The "I Have a Dream" speech was delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and is seen by many as a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. The speech began with a reference to the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed millions of slaves in 1863. Dr. King went on to say that "one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free". At the end of the speech, King departed from his prepared text. It is said that singer Mahalia Jackson yelled out "tell them about the dream Martin!" In this part of the speech, which is most quoted today, Dr. King described his dreams of freedom and equality. The text of the speech can be found here, but following are some of the most quoted lines:
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Following the March, the speakers traveled to the White House for a brief discussion of proposed civil rights legislation with President Kennedy. Kennedy had watched King's speech on TV and was very impressed. According to biographer Thomas C. Reeves, Kennedy "felt that he would be booed at the March, and also didn't want to meet with organizers before the March because he didn't want a list of demands. He arranged a 5 P.M. meeting at the White House with the 10 leaders on the 28th." Kennedy later said that he felt that the march was a victory for him as well—bolstering the chances for his civil rights bill.