March On Washington

The August 28, 1963, March on Washington was a large political rally that took place in Washington, D.C and attracted the nation's attention. Vehicles known as "freedom buses" and "freedom trains" brought people from regions of the United States to this demonstration. Over 30 special trains, and 2,000 buses were used. Rather than the anticipated hundred thousand marchers, more than twice that number appeared, astonishing even its organizers, with a total 250,000 participants and 60,000 of them being white. Blacks and whites, side by side, called on President John F. Kennedy and the Congress to provide equal access to public facilities, quality education, adequate employment, and decent housing for African Americans.

As the event continued, so did the crowd's size and officials developed a deep fear for a violent attack. Fortunately, there was no violence and speaker after speaker the people became inspired. Then Martin Luther King Jr. stood to speak. King, the most popular of all the civil rights leaders, delivered a speech that would be heard on television stations across the country from 1963 to present. Known as the "I have a dream" speech, it is currently considered one of the greatest and most influential speeches ever.

At the end, the march was a total success and many Americans witnessed for the first time black people and whites united, marching and celebrating side by side.