March On Washington For Jobs and Freedom

Black text on a light yellowish background with an illustration of two hands shaking

The March On Washington For Jobs and Freedom is also known as the March on Washington, or The Great March on Washington. It was one of the largest political rallies for civil rights for African Americans in the United States; 200,000 to 300,000 participated in the march. The event took place on Wednesday August 28, 1963, in which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech in front of Lincoln Memorial. Besides the huge turnouts and messages it conveyed, the march is significant in civil rights history also because it helped the passing of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and gave precedence to the Selma Voting Rights Movement which led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act (1965).

This button is a reproducation of the original from 1963. It was likely made as a commemorative button along with the MARCH ON WASHINGTON FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY button also in the museum