A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
It's been 20 years since the anniversary of the very first Million Man March. Today, we celebrate a time reflective of times today, when people of color had to fight to be heard, seen and respected. We've gathered some of the very best photos from the first march here. Take a look.
A birdseye view from the top of the Washington Monument shows thousands of people on the Mall in front of the US Capitol.
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A man embraces his son.
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Maya Angelou speaks to the masses.
AP Photo/Doug Mills
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A man raises his hands in the air as he celebrates.
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A group of gay protesters make a statement for equality.
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Omari Khalfani of Michigan, left, Ben White of Connecticut, center, screaming, and Shahking Fields of New York, right, react during the Million Man March at the steps of the capitol.
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Attendees at the Million Man March raise their fists.
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Reverend Al Sharpton speaks to the crowd while a member of the Nation of Islam stands guard.
Porter Gifford/Liaison
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Nation of Islam leader and march facilitator Louis Farrakhan raises his hand behind scratched bulletproof glass as he speaks in front of the Capitol Building.
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Fruit of Islam members lock arms in front of the Capitol.
Dudley M. Brooks/The Washington Post/Getty Images
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A sign rises above the crowd.
Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images
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Fists raised high.
Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images
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Rev. G. Augustus Stallings, Jr. hugs Donald Richardson at the Prayer BreakFast for the Million Man March at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washtington D.C.
Carol Guzy/The Washington Post/Getty Images
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The headquarters of the Million Man March buzzes with action. While Sherrie X stuffed envelopes with information about the march, others in the office fielded questions on constantly ringing telephones.
Clarence Williams/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Director of the Million Man March and former head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Ben Chavis speaks to the crowd while a member of the Nation of Islam stands guard.
Porter Gifford/Liaison
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Reverend Jesse Jackson speaks to the crowd and gestures a peace sign while a member of the Nation of Islam stands guard.
Porter Gifford/Liaison
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Stevie Wonder speaks to the crowd.
Porter Gifford/Liaison
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An aerial view taken from the Capitol Building shows the massive crowd in attendance.
Thousands of people gather on the Mall in front of the US Capitol, many holding signs.
TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images
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20 Years Ago
President Bill Clinton speaks at the American University of Texas at Austin Erwin Center. Clinton discussed race relations and urged blacks marching at the “Million Man March” in Washington to take responsibility for their families.
LUKE FRAZZA/AFP/Getty Images
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20 Years Ago
The Rev. Jesse Jackson discusses the Million Man March in his hotel room.
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