50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

Watch 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

  • 2013
  • 1 Season

On August 28th, 1963, over 250,000 Americans descended upon Washington D.C. for a peaceful demonstration to demand civil and economic rights for African Americans. Fifty years later in 2013, PBS aired a special program to commemorate the legacy of this historic event. The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington brings together an incredibly diverse group of people and powerful speakers, including President Barack Obama, former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, Congressman John Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, and others, to celebrate the progress that has been made since that time and to discuss how we can continue to push for change in the years to come.

The show begins with archival footage of the 1963 march, including speeches by Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders of the civil rights movement. The program then transitions to the present-day, with live performances and speeches from various guests. The focus of the program is on the progress that has been made since the march and the work that still needs to be done.

Throughout the show, there are many emotional and powerful moments. For example, Congressman John Lewis--who was a key organizer of the 1963 march--gives a moving speech about the importance of continuing the fight for civil rights, even as the world changes around us. Oprah Winfrey shares her personal story of how the march impacted her life and work, and how she continues to be inspired by the courage and determination of the activists who paved the way for her.

One of the highlights of the program is President Barack Obama's speech, which he delivers from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in front of a huge crowd. Obama reflects on the progress that has been made in the years since the march, but he also acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. He talks about how the fight for civil rights is not just about individual rights, but about building a more just and equitable society for all Americans.

In addition to the speeches and performances, the program also features interviews with people who were part of the original march, as well as younger activists who continue to be inspired by its legacy. The show is a powerful reminder of the impact that the march had on American society and culture, and how its message continues to resonate today.

Overall, the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington is a poignant, inspirational, and informative program that offers a unique perspective on one of the most important events in American history. Whether you were a part of the original march or are a younger generation looking to learn more about the fight for civil rights, this program is a must-see. It offers a valuable reminder of how far we've come, and how much work we still have to do to build a more just and equitable society for all Americans.

50th Anniversary of the March on Washington is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (5 episodes). The series first aired on August 27, 2013.

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Seasons
Interview with Eleanor Holmes Norton
5. Interview with Eleanor Holmes Norton
August 21, 2013
Decades before Eleanor Holmes Norton would represent her Washington D.C. as a delegate to Congress, she worked as one of the original organizers for the March on Washington. Fifty years later, Holmes Norton reflects with Gwen Ifill on her efforts.
Interview with Taylor Branch and Shukree Hassan Tilghman
4. Interview with Taylor Branch and Shukree Hassan Tilghman
August 30, 2013
Fifty years after the March on Washington, African-Americans still confront high rates of unemployment, segregation in education and race-based partisan gridlock. In what areas have we seen progress? Gwen Ifill discusses the advances and what's left to be done with historian Taylor Branch and filmmaker Shukree Hassan Tilghman.
Interview with Paniel Joseph and Bonnie Boswell Hamilton
3. Interview with Paniel Joseph and Bonnie Boswell Hamilton
August 13, 2013
Fifty years after the March on Washington, the vision of the civil rights movement has expanded beyond black and white, but what is left to be done? Gwen Ifill sits down with Peniel Joseph of Tufts University and filmmaker Bonnie Boswell Hamilton on how the goals of the March translate to the needs of today.
Interview with William Jones
2. Interview with William Jones
August 4, 2013
Historian William Jones joins Gwen Ifill to offer an overview of how the March on Washington came to be, why President Kennedy wanted it to be called off and what roles women of color played on that historic day.
Interview with John Lewis
1. Interview with John Lewis
August 27, 2013
Fifty years ago, 23-year-old John Lewis raised his voice to a crowd of more than 200,000 people at a protest march that would come to represent "the best of America." Gwen Ifill talks to the congressman about what motivated him to become a young civil rights leader and the current state of civil rights and equality in America.
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Where to Watch 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington
50th Anniversary of the March on Washington is available for streaming on the PBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington on demand at Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    August 27, 2013