The 1961 March on Washington was a significant event in the American civil rights movement, aimed at advocating for racial equality and economic justice. Organized by various civil rights groups, it brought together thousands of participants who gathered in the nation's capital to demand an end to segregation and discrimination. This march is often remembered for its role in raising awareness about the struggles faced by African Americans. It set the stage for future actions, including the more famous 1963 March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech.