Black History: Million Man March

Million Man March, 1995

On October 1995, over a million black men gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Million Man March, organized and led by Minister Louis Farrakhan in order to declare their right to justice to atone for their failure as men, and to accept responsibility as head of the family. The Million Man March is one of the largest demonstrations of its kind in the capital’s history. On that day, many black men stood there for 10 hours fasting and praying together creating a spirit of unity, brotherhood, and love. There were no fights or arrests that day. People around the world watched and participated in the fasting as well. On that day, the world saw a vastly different picture of black men in America. The world saw black men demonstrating the willingness to shoulder the responsibility of improving themselves and the community. As a result of the March, around 1.7 million Black men registered to vote and organizational memberships including churches, mosques, and the NAACP skyrocketed.The National Association of Black Social Workers reported a flood of 13,000 applications to adopt Black children as well.

Its success also spurred the organization of a Million Woman March, which took place in 1997 in Philadelphia.