>> interested in american history tv? you can watch a recent program, american artifacts, wrote the white house rewind, at www.c-span.org/history. each week, american history tv puzzle real america brings archival films. august 28, 1963, the u.s. information agency to march on washington for jobs in freedom and produced a documentary for foreign audiences. films cannot be shown in the u.s. until 12 years after their original production. film,t, the original titled "march on washington -- the march in washington." [chanting]

>> the giant step toward full participation in affairs. taken by the american negro in the capital of the united states on the day of august 28, 1963. >> ♪ we are not afraid ♪ we are not afraid >> the step was taken solemnly. and in union with many of their white countrymen.

heartdeep in my i do believe overcome someday we shall overcome someday overcome deep in my heart i do believe

someday ♪all overcome >> the footsteps of the march in washington were firm. dissenters aen in larger awareness of the rights of negroes as americans, who shared equally not only in the sun and air so clear and free on the day of their march, but their rights as americans share opportunity and privilege as well. america has known this intellectually for a long time. years, my history's calendar. learned it8, america is. every kind and class, every generation in america participated. if not in the city of washington, across the land by

television america felt the feeling of the march and learned the all-encompassing cry for freedom from in dignity. went back into their history to lincoln, jefferson, thomas payne. everyone attended the march in .ashington in the city with a massive traffic problem in normal times, traffic had rerouted as acres of thee had been rerouted for visiting demonstrators. ♪

i'm hammering in the morning hammering in the evening all over this land a hammer of love for the brothers and sisters all over this land ♪ >> momentum for the march began slowly. by 11:30 a.m. a mounting tide of parents, students, grandparents, with placards and banners held aloft, walking down a wide avenue named in honor of the constitution of the country. no attempt was made or thought given to the strict lines of marching.

serious, but relaxed. 200,000 strong they marched in the largest demonstration for civil rights in the history of the united states. band] ♪ing catholics, protestants, and jews. the humble in the famous. northern's and southerners. states-section of the 50 represented across the avenue. loosely grouped by states, organizations, or bus codes.

some arrived by motorist -- motorcades. some by train and plane. some drove private automobiles 30, 50 miles, all to walk to the memorial site preserved in honor of abraham lincoln. with their right to freely assemble incurred. spellbound in the first amendment of the constitution of the united states. the first amendment rights of health not only refrain from with peaceful assemblies that must restrain the restrainer's as well. the boston tea party let off a long chain of effective social protests in america. the suffragette demonstrations spread to many cities before their cause was victorious. the right to peacefully assemble and be heard.

a renowned american jurist recently said -- a function of free speech under our system is .o invite dispute it may strike at prejudices and preconceptions and have profound, unsettling effects as it moves towards the acceptance of an idea. moved ♪shall not be

♪

>> we are going to march. we are going to stand together. we are going to stay together. we are going to go together. we've got freedom, freedom, freedom. applause]d ♪

[applause] you mr. burt lancaster. applause]d >> traveling no matter where in the world today, we are in the position of ambassadors and are often made particularly aware of our country's reputation. it's not easy to be an american abroad. easy to -- nor is it make known to those for not american the nature and meaning

of our struggle. we are therefore forever indebted to those americans taking part in the march on washington movement. for helping us redefine in the middle of this dangerous century what is meant by the american revolution. we recognize that it is not only in america that there is a battle for freedom and dignity being waged. the struggle for freedom on the part of the subjugated is occurring all over the world. is on our awareness of what this struggle means. it is our degree of dedication to it that our future and the future of the world depends on it. [applause]

>> 100 50 members of the congress of the united states arrived at the bat -- at the rally to add their support. and the support of the people to the spirit of the march in washington. [applause] ♪ >> ♪ you and me

democracy nearthe message far and the time is now, the place is here ♪ >> it knowledged champion of civil rights in america, mr. rory wilkins, national appropriate om. [applause] >> i want some of you to help me win a bet. here in theone out open to keep quiet. i want to hear thunder from those people out there under the trees. let's hear you. [cheers and applause]

there's one of them in the trees. [laughter] [applause] >> let us bow our heads in prayer. god a victory, -- god of victory , of all mankind. , god ofbraham and moses

our willing years, god of our , calloutears benediction on the united states of america. >> as the freedom marchers remained at the monument grounds to close the demonstration in prayer, their leaders moved on to the white house to meet with president kennedy. the president's active concern of progress for the negro in housing, education, and employment is well known. the members of the overall policy committee of the march in washington reported that the

conference was friendly and cooperative. chairman philip randolph from -- reports first. >> we believe that it will have an effect on the image of our country all over the world. because it will indicate that not only are negroes struggling fromhieve a transition second-class the first class citizenship, but our white brothers and sisters are marching arm in arm with the negro citizens of the country for the purpose of achieving this objective. consequently, this is and has been a great american experience. >> the reverend dr. eugene was another of the march leaders. the thing we wanted to do was

get in behind the leadership of the negro community. the religious leader as indicated was martin luther king. we are proud to have served behind and strengthening what he can carry. the other thing is that we did produce a non-segregated march. mr. walter luther was also part of the committee that met with president kennedy. realbelieve that the significance of what we have started today is we have laid the groundwork for the building of a functioning, broad coalition of americans from all walks of life, of all points of view, of all races, creeds, and colors, to carry on the common struggles to achieve meaningful civil rights legislation, but that we can do the practical work of fighting in housing, employment, and public accommodation.

this is the true significance of what we have started today. it is our pleasure to present the moral leader of our nation. one who has conducted a massive moral campaign in the southern area of the nation. against the citadel of racism. dr. martin luther king jr. randolph.ou, mr. i would like to say that i think this has been one of the great days of america. and i think this march will go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest demonstration for freedom and human dignity ever held in the united states. >> the slumbering conscience of america stood aroused, tall and awakened as twilight fell over the march of washington.

it imitated a lingering sense of shame. it emitted -- admitted that pain been overlooked. america reminded herself of her destiny, her aspirations, the forth herhat brought birth. america could turn her eyes on freedom and justice, issues for all. turning attention to the civil rights bill before congress. currently under the examination of the elected representatives in the land. she turned her thoughts to the job ahead. the sound in spirit a massive reminder of the meaning of freedom traveling around the world on the day of august the eighth, rightfully initiating from the grounds where abraham lincoln sat silently and gravely, watching over this land . the u.s. is reminded that it is not enough to hope together, to pray together.

she is reminded that she must speak and act for the common good. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2016] >> american history tv, telling the american story. this month american history tv is in prime time to introduce you to programs that you could see every weekend on c-span3. including lectures of history, visits the college classrooms across the country to hear lectures by top history professors. american artifacts takes a look at the treasures archived. "real america," revealing the 20th century through archival film. presidency" and "the ." learn about politics, policies, and legacies.

all of this month and prime time , on c-span3. >> american history tv is marking the centennial of the national parks service. we asked members of congress about which sites in their states have the most significance for them. >> congressman, what national parks can be found in your state of massachusetts? >> we have many, commemorating the many contributions we've made to the history of this country. for example, minutemen historic national park, lowell's national historic park, commemorating the industrial revolution. changing the economy of this country. we also have the national seashore on cape cod. a beautiful, beautiful site.