Rare photos of the March on Washington
Fifty-seven years after the historic 1963 March on Washington, tens of thousands of Americans were expected to assemble at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 2020, to mark the anniversary and continue the push for racial justice. The 1963 march is perhaps best known for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, but in reality, the Civil Rights-era event meant so much more to America's history.
Philadelphia-based photographer Jack T. Franklin captured the richly faceted meaning of that original March on Washington. Here are some of the rarely seen photographs taken by Franklin, including this image of marchers en route to the Lincoln Memorial.
Franklin passed away in 2009. Thousands more of his images of African American life are held in the permanent collection of the African-American Museum in Philadelphia.
Famous faces
James Baldwin, Harry Belafonte and his wife Julie attend the March on Washington, August 1963.
The full title of the event was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and it drew a crowd estimated at 250,000 people.
Many speakers
Rev. Ralph Abernathy addresses the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial, August 1963.
Hero for integration
Philadelphia lawyer and civil rights activist Cecil B. Moore at the March on Washington, August 1963. Moore led the fight to integrate Girard College.
Big crowds
A view of the crowd in front of the Washington Monument at the March on Washington, August 1963.
Marching with a message
Demonstrators march with signs at the March on Washington, August 1963.
Belafonte up front
Harry Belafonte attends the March on Washington, August 1963.
A wider view
Wide angle view of the March on Washington, August 1963.
Staying hydrated
Marchers quench their thirst at fountains constructed for their use, August 1963.
Packed in
A view of the crowd at the March on Washington, August 1963.
A wave from the steps
Philadelphia protesters on the Lincoln Memorial steps, August 1963.
Press coverage
Press tables at the March on Washington, August 1963.
On their feet
A view of the crowd at the March on Washington, August 1963.
The Mall
A view of the crowd stretching towards the Washington Monument at the March on Washington, August 1963.
The center of the protest
Demonstrators in front of Lincoln Memorial, August 1963.
Athletes, actors, singers
Jackie Robinson, Sidney Poitier and Sammy Davis, Jr. at the March on Washington, August 1963.
Cleaning up
A member of the clean-up crew works after the March, August 1963.
As far as the eye can see
A view of the crowd at the March on Washington, August 1963.
Another view of the Mall
A view of the crowd with the Washington Monument in the distance at the March on Washington, August 1963.
Marchers at the Washington Monument
A view of the crowd in front of the Washington Monument at the March on Washington, August 1963.
At the march
A view of the crowd at the March on Washington, August 1963.
A rare glimpse of history
A view of the crowd and signs left behind on the ground at the March on Washington, August 1963.
Demonstrators from Philadelphia
Demonstrators from Philadelphia attend the March on Washington, August 1963.
Historic day
A view of the crowd at the March on Washington, August 1963.