Capturing the Selma-to-Montgomery March

In a powerful photo, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen speaking in front of 25,000 civil rights marchers at the conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery march in front of the Alabama state capital building on March 25, 1965.

The photograph was taken by Stephen Somerstein, a young college student at the time who felt compelled to document the historic march.

Somerstein's photos from that day are now on display at the New York Historical Society.

His work will also be featured on a story for the "CBS Evening News" tonight.

Selma to Montgomery

Civil rights activists marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

Selma to Montgomery

Elderly couple on porch of home watching the 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama marchers pass by.

Selma to Montgomery

A Canadian marcher carries an injured, young boy on his shoulders during the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march.

Selma to Montgomery

A young man is seen with "VOTE" written on his forehead during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march.

Selma to Montgomery

Several men and a woman stand by a large American flag during a gathering at a field near City of St. Jude School, preparing for the concluding Selma civil rights march into Montgomery.

Selma to Montgomery

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. seen through sea of microphones, speaking before crowd of 25,000 civil rights marchers, in front of Montgomery, Alabama state capital building.

Selma to Montgomery

Jim Leatherer from Saginaw, Michigan, a Jewish civil rights marcher with only one leg. he marched the full 53-mile distance from Selma to Montgomery on crutches.

Selma to Montgomery

Two mothers with babies drinking from milk bottles, and a child sit on a porch watching Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers.

Selma to Montgomery

Two African-American young girls on porch watching the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march.

Selma to Montgomery

Crowd listening in concentration to speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march

Selma to Montgomery

Hecklers and applauders, watching the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers.

Selma to Montgomery

Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers, with boys holding large and small American flags.

Selma to Montgomery

White hecklers yelling and gesturing obscenely at marchers.

Selma to Montgomery

Young African-American civil rights marchers singing as they marched along the road on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march.

Selma to Montgomery

City College of New York (CCNY) students sleeping overnight on bus to meet up with the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march on March 24, 1965.

Selma to Montgomery

Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers passing by house with people. Man holding small American flag.

Selma to Montgomery

Civil rights leaders, at head of 25,000 Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers and children, gathered at the exit gate of the City of St. Jude School, to march to the state capital building in Montgomery. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) president John Lewis in light vest, behind children. On his right is Reverend Ralph Abernathy and on his right is his wife Juanita, on March 25, 1965.

Selma to Montgomery

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Selma to Montgomery

Two young boys, standing in street with onlookers on curb, watching the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers go by.

Selma to Montgomery

Older woman, looking and waving at Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers.

Selma to Montgomery

"Things Go Better With Coke" sign highlighted behind African-American, multi-generational family watching civil rights marchers.