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Home • News

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. 
By Joslyn Blair · Updated October 27, 2020
01
20 Years Ago

A birdseye view from the top of the Washington Monument shows thousands of people on the Mall in front of the US Capitol.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
RICHARD ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images
02
20 Years Ago

A man embraces his son.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
RICHARD ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images
03
20 Years Ago

Maya Angelou speaks to the masses.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
AP Photo/Doug Mills
04
20 Years Ago

A man raises his hands in the air as he celebrates.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
RICHARD ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images
05
20 Years Ago

A group of gay protesters make a statement for equality.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Getty Images
06
20 Years Ago

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.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Getty Images
07
20 Years Ago

Attendees at the Million Man March raise their fists.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Getty Images
08
20 Years Ago

Reverend Al Sharpton speaks to the crowd while a member of the Nation of Islam stands guard.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Porter Gifford/Liaison
09
20 Years Ago

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.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Getty Images
10
20 Years Ago

Fruit of Islam members lock arms in front of the Capitol.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Dudley M. Brooks/The Washington Post/Getty Images
11
20 Years Ago

A sign rises above the crowd.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images
12
20 Years Ago

Fists raised high.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images
13
20 Years Ago

 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. 

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Carol Guzy/The Washington Post/Getty Images
14
20 Years Ago

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.  

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Clarence Williams/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
15
20 Years Ago

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.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Porter Gifford/Liaison
16
20 Years Ago

Reverend Jesse Jackson speaks to the crowd and gestures a peace sign while a member of the Nation of Islam stands guard.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Porter Gifford/Liaison
17
20 Years Ago

Stevie Wonder speaks to the crowd.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Porter Gifford/Liaison
18
20 Years Ago

An aerial view taken from the Capitol Building shows the massive crowd in attendance.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
RICHARD ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images
19
20 Years Ago

Thousands of people gather on the Mall in front of the US Capitol, many holding signs.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images
20
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.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
LUKE FRAZZA/AFP/Getty Images
21
20 Years Ago

The Rev. Jesse Jackson discusses the Million Man March in his hotel room.

A Look Back: The 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March
Budd Williams/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
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