The March on Washington


The Civil Rights Movement is one of the most important events not only in U.S. history but history world wide. By far the biggest single handed event in Civil Rights history is the infamous March on Washington.

It all started in 1963 when Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. took the Civil Rights movement to the most racist, segregated city in America. Birmingham Alabama has a symbol of "Hardcore resistance to desegregation".  

King was one of the leading voices in the Civil Rights Movement. King was so determined that he would do anything he had to in order for them to end segregation and get the rights that they deserved. King believed that they had to put their lives on the line to end segregation because even if they died they would take segregation with them. 

While in Birmingham, King faced his strongest, most dreaded enemy, the Birmingham Police Chief. The police Chief tried and promised that he would do anything he had to do in order to hold onto segregation and silence the Civil Rights Movement. 

Knowing this King decided to take a major risk. King lead a march in Birmingham which he got arrested for. Just when King thought that this might be the end, one of the most empowering events took place. The young people in Birmingham joined in the march and started standing together for their rights and they weren't afraid to go to jail for them. 

After the Birmingham march many other demonstrations began to pop up in various cities and the Kennedy Administration had no other choice but to stand up and do something. Kennedy and his peers decided that the only thing they can do is propose a bill to Congress ending segregation. 

By this time, King was on his post Birmingham Tour. While on this tour King realized that the best option they had to end segregation and make a huge demonstration was to finally make a march on Washington. With this decision, the very first March on Washington Committee meeting took place in New York on July 2nd of 1963. 

After this meeting the leaders immediately started to take action and start planning the meeting. One of the biggest challenges they faced was the conflict that arose when they were choosing who would organize the march. The leaders of the march had different ideas but one option had many of them on edge. Randolph, one of the main leaders of the march, wanted his associate Rustin to organize the march. This worried the others because they felt that Rustin organizing the march there would be vulnerability due to him being both black and gay. 

In the end, it was determined that Rustin would organize the march and he ended up doing a great job. Rustin and his team worked on this march day in and day out. They worked 16 hours a day, 6 days a week. They were determined to make this march the best march the world had ever seen. 

A huge factor in this march was that many famous artist from Hollywood, Broadway, and many other industries began to step in. Many artist came to the march and showed their support. 

The march was a great success with hundreds of thousands of people showing up to stand up for their rights and here the great leaders speak. 

This march resulted in many great things one of which has gone
down in the history books as one of the greatest speeches ever heard. Dr. King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech at the march on Washington. This speech was very empowering and gave the people strength and hope. 

In conclusion, the March on Washington is one of the greatest marches and events of the Civil Rights Movement. Through this march many changes took place and the era of change began. 


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