In 1941, A. Philip Randolph planned a massive march on Washington D.C. to dramatize to President Franklin Roosevelt, and the nation, the circumstances of African-Americans. The threat of a march had the desired effect; however the march itself did not take place.

Over thirty years later, Randolph helped to organize another such demonstration and this time watched his dream fulfilled. The situation this time was somewhat different: the country, in 1963, was not emerging from a severe economic depression, and the focus of the movement itself was shifting. The package deal began to replace single-issue demands. Issues of race relations were becoming issues of economic relations; dignity and justice were of a piece with education, jobs and housing, and it became increasingly clear that simple volunteer efforts alone could not bring about these changes.

By 1963, the movement encompassed economic and political concerns, involved northern communities, and expanded its base to include more strata of black society. At the Museum, this exhibit features audio visual presentations of the day of the march, in an environment reminiscent of the immense crowds.