Music

Music and the March on Washington

Folk singers Joan Baez and Bob Dylan teamed up to perform "When the Ship Comes In" for the March on Washington.

Folk singers Joan Baez and Bob Dylan teamed up to perform “When the Ship Comes In” for the March on Washington.  (Rowland Scherman / Getty Images)

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The March on Washington in 1963, featuring performances by Mahalia Jackson, Odetta, Bob Dylan and others, was a landmark moment for songs with a social message.

March on Washington

Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson performs “How I Got Over,” a song of spiritual triumph over earthly adversity, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  (Bob Parent / Getty Images)

March on Washington

With the Abraham Lincoln memorial looming in the background, Marian Anderson sings to the crowd.   (Archive Photos / Getty Images)

March on Washington

Folk singer Joan Baez takes to the stage on the Mall.  (Express Newspapers / Getty Images)

March on Washington

Civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., at left, hold hands as they guide a massive crowd on the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28, 1963.   (Express Newspapers / Getty Images)

March on Washington

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. waves to the crowd from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 march. The impromptu “Dream” portion of his celebrated speech is said to have been prompted by a shout-out from gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.  (AFP/Getty Images)

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