The 1963 March on Washington

The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was a historic event in the civil rights movement in the United States. Held on August 28, 1963, the march was organized by a coalition of civil rights, labor, and religious organizations to advocate for civil and economic rights for African Americans.

The march was a peaceful protest that drew an estimated 250,000 people to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Participants heard speeches from civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., who delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, and John Lewis, who later became a congressman and civil rights icon.

The march is considered a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, and helped to pressure the U.S. government to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It also raised public awareness of the struggle for racial equality and justice, and inspired future generations of activists.

In 2013, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp to mark the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. The stamp features a photograph of march participants holding signs and banners, with the words “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” in bold letters across the top. The stamp serves as a reminder of the historic significance of the march and the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality in the United States.