March on Washington
Definition
The March on Washington was a massive protest rally that took place in Washington D.C., on August 28th, 1963. Its purpose was to advocate for economic and civil rights for African Americans.
Analogy
Imagine if all your classmates decided to take a field trip to your school district headquarters demanding better lunch options or more funding for arts programs - that would be similar to what happened at the March on Washington when people gathered en masse demanding equal rights.
Related terms
"I Have a Dream" speech: Delivered by Martin Luther King Jr., during the March on Washington; it is one of his most famous speeches advocating racial harmony and equality.
Civil Rights Act of 1964: This legislation was a direct result of the Civil Rights Movement and events like the March on Washington. It outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
Bayard Rustin: A civil rights activist who was the chief organizer of the March on Washington.
"March on Washington" appears in:
Practice Questions (5)
- What was the purpose of the March on Washington in 1963?
- The March on Washington in 1963 was significant because:
- Who was a famous civil rights leader known for his "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington?
- Who delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington in August of 1963?
- Who was the prominent civil rights leader who led the March on Washington in 1963?
Resources
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