March On
March On
the National Mall as america’s civic stage
Don’t miss March On: RUSTIN, a collaboration between the Trust for the National Mall and Netflix's RUSTIN, that lets listeners walk in the footsteps of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
March On Audio walking tour & podcast
The Trust for the National Mall is creating the March On Podcast and Audio Walking Tour series to help bring to life the stories behind historic moments on the National Mall — beginning with the watershed 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This new programming will share personal stories and moving moments and memories with visitors listening on the National Mall and tuning in virtually from around the world. The March On Podcast will feature impactful stories of everyday heroism that took place on the National Mall. The first installation will look at the story behind the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which cemented the National Mall as America’s Civic Stage. March On: RUSTIN will explore the role of the organizers and architects of the historic March — Bayard Rustin and A. Philip Randolph — who helped bring more than 250,000 people to the National Mall to call for equal opportunity, equal rights and freedom for all.
The goal of the March On program is to promote a deeper understanding of the role the National Mall has played over time as America’s Civic Stage where all voices can be heard — a space for expression of first amendment rights, civil discourse, and civic engagement throughout American history.
March On is a new experiential educational program and part of the Trust’s important work to preserve and elevate the National Mall and to help visitors — both in person and virtually — connect more deeply with the National Mall’s history and its future. The March On Audio Walking Tour will inspire listeners to “stand in the footsteps” of the leaders of the most historic moments on the National Mall — to understand the powerful significance of this treasured American space where history is commemorated, and where history has helped shape the course of America.
Learn more about the history of the National Mall as a Civic Stage
On August 28, 1963, a quarter million peaceful protestors participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The March was in protest for equal employment opportunities, protection to the right to vote, desegregation of all public schools and public accommodations, and ultimately, a “comprehensive civil rights bill.” Learn more about the events on the day of the March. The watershed March was organized by civil rights leaders of grassroots organizations, and it was there, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech.
The March On podcast and walking tour will take listeners to famous spots on the Mall to hear moving stories and important details about history that happened here. The audio walking tour will be easily accessible and approachable for visiting school groups as well as visiting families, history buffs and life-long learners alike.
The March On podcast and materials will encourage users to connect with historical moments and feel a sense of place and history when visiting the National Mall.
Your gift today can help support future seasons of March On, an interactive walk through history sharing the stories behind moments that have shaped our nation on the National Mall.
America's Civic Stage
It was not the first time it served as the backdrop for First Amendment activities, but in 1939, when Marian Anderson performed to over 75,000 from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after being banned from performing at Constitution Hall, the National Mall was cemented as our nation’s civic stage for public performances, peaceful protests and nonviolent resistance. Twenty four years later, those very steps are where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington.
From marches and protests to rallies, performances, and art installations, The National Mall has a longstanding history as a civic stage for peaceful expression of First Amendment rights to advance the cause of justice, human rights and racial equity.