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The recited words "I have a Dream" ring true to anyone who hears them. Martin Luther King Jr’s, iconic “I Have a Dream” speech is widely regarded as one of the most important speeches in Black History . But the speech was just a part of greater event called the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (it's also known as 'The Great March on Washington'). On August 28, 1963, the large political rally was in support of civil and economic rights and created the platform where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech at the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial. The estimates on the number of walkers vary from 200,000 to 300,000. More than three-quarters of the walkers were said to be black, while the rest were white or other minorities. The historical march is recognized by historians as an instrumental piece to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The year of 1963 was riddled with racial unrest and civil rights demonstrations. The media coverage of police actions in Birmingham, Alabama where dogs and hoses were turned against protesters sparked national interest and public outcry. The moment became a rallying point that culminated with the March on Washington. The event represented the coalition of several civil rights organizations -- coined the 'Big Six' -- which were the Congress of Racial Equality, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Urban League. More than 2,000 buses, 21 trains and 10 chartered plains converged on Washington, at the end of August for the march. These methods of transportation brought more than a quarter of a million people to the city. The march began at the end of the Washington Monument and ended at the Lincoln Memorial. Speakers were the civil-rights leaders of the 'Big Six' that included Martin Luther King Jr. James Farmer, John Lewis, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins and Whitney Young. Catholic, Protestant and Jewish religious leaders also spoke. There were also several singers that performed civil-rights based songs such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary and Mahalia Jackson. But most important was Martin Luther King Jr.'s 17-minute "I have a Dream" speech that advocated racial harmony. King departed from his prepared speech and talked about his dream, which was a theme in several of his previous speeches including a march in Detroit, Michigan. Overall, the protest was a great success and a pivotal moment in the civil rights issues of the 1960s. It's iconic in so many ways, but most importantly a lasting and influencing event in Black History. August 28th is just another day that should be celebrated with Black History products. Teach your children more about the importance of black history, today.
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