Watch ABC News Archives: Million Man March 3v3m1b

In October 1995, history was made in Washington D.C as black men from all over the United States arrived on the National Mall to take part in the Million Man March. The event, organized by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, aimed to promote African American unity and raise awareness of issues affecting black men in the country. ABC News was on the ground to cover the march, and their footage has been compiled into a documentary entitled ABC News Archives: Million Man March. 1p2d42

The special begins with a brief overview of the historical context of the march, including the ongoing struggles facing black men in America, such as poverty, unemployment, and police brutality. The early scenes show the crowds gathering on the National Mall under the bright autumn sun, many of them wearing t-shirts with slogans such as "I Am a Man" and "Justice or Else." There is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation among the marchers, who have come from all parts of the country to be a part of this historic event.

As the day wears on, the program features several speeches by prominent black leaders, including Jesse Jackson, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks. Each of these speakers emphasizes the need for unity and collective action in order to effect change in America. Maya Angelou's stirring rendition of her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" is a particular highlight, and her words resonate strongly with the crowd.

Throughout the program, there are also interviews with some of the participants in the march, many of whom speak candidly about their reasons for attending and their hopes for the future. We meet fathers and sons, brothers and cousins, all of whom have come to D.C. to be a part of this momentous occasion. There are also interviews with women who have come to the march, including Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who stresses the need for black men and women to work together to achieve their goals.

Back on the National Mall, the program shows us the sights and sounds of the march itself, with row after row of black men standing in solidarity with one another. There are chants and cheers of "Black power!" and "We shall overcome!" as the crowd makes its way towards the Lincoln Memorial. We see groups of men holding hands, praying together, and sharing their stories with one another. It is a powerful and moving image, one that speaks to the deep sense of community that the march has created.

As the program draws to a close, we are reminded that the Million Man March was just the beginning of a larger movement for change in America. In the years since the march, the fight for racial equality and justice has continued, with organizations such as Black Lives Matter carrying on the legacy of those who marched on that October day. The ABC News Archives: Million Man March is a timely reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of standing together in the face of injustice.