March to Washington

The first march on Washington was planned.

Jun 18, 1941

The first march on Washingon was planned in 1941 by Phillip Randolph. He planned it because Aftican Americans weren't benefiting as much as everyone else from the New Deal, and were being discriminated against when applying for certain defense jobs. President Roosevelt didn't seem to care, so the march was planned. 50,000 people planned on participating. In June of 1941, an Executive Order was issued saying that discrimination in defense positions was illegal and the march was called off.

Poeple stared marching

Aug 27, 1963

People started to travel to Washington on August 27th. About 250,000 people showed up to listen to Martin Luther King Jr. About 80% of the people who came to Washington were African American. The people who came were mostly part of civil rights, labor, or religious organizations.

The March on Washington

Aug 28, 1963

I have a dream speechThe March on Washington was planned by Phillip Randolph and Bayard Rustin. About 250,000 people were at Washington. There was entertainment beforehand and then Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. His speech is one of the most famous speeches in History.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, or religion. It put a stop to segrigation in schools, the workplace, and public facilities. It also stopped the unfair process of registering to vote. The March on Washington is what helped get this Act passed.

First March to Montgomery

Mar 7, 1965

The first march from Selma to Monthomery took place on March 7, 1965. The activists that marched were brutally beaten by state troopers. and many marchers died. That day is now called Bloody Sunday. It was the first of 3 marches that the March on Washington led up to.

Second March to Montgomery

Mar 9, 1965

During the second march from Selma to Montgomery, the police and the marchers met at the end of a bridge, but the police stepped aside to let them go by. Martin Luther King Jr., who was leading them, decided to turn around, and went back to the church. That night, a group of white people murdered James Reeb, an activist. This was the 2nd of 3 marches that proceeded that March on Washington.

Third March from Selma to Montgomery

Mar 21, 1965

The third march started on March 21, 1965. Activists demanded that the marched should be protected. The governor wouldn't do it so, the president did. The marchers were protected by 2,000 soldiers and 1,900 national guard people. This was the third march was after the March on Washington.

Marchers arrive in Montgomery

Mar 24, 1965

The marchers from Selma arrived in Montgomery on March 24. The averaged 10 miles per day on their trip. The entire way they were protected by military and even FBI agents. This was part of the third march to Montgomery that the March on Washington led up to.

Marchers arrive at the Montgomery capitol building

Mar 25, 1965

The marchers from Selma arrived at the Montgomery capitol building on March 25. In the end, about 25,000 people showed up to support voting rights. This is also part of the 3rd march that occured after the March on Washington.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965

Aug 6, 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed on August 6, 1965. The March of Washington helped to set this Act in motion and helped to pass it. It helps to enforce the voting rights stated in the 14th and 15th amendments of the constitution. It helped minorities have the same rights as white people when it came to voting.