5 Key Landmarks of the Civil Rights Trail in Washington DC
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. All opinions are 100% mine.
50 years after the historic movement, Washington DC leads the way in civil rights history
"I already know the next stop is one you're all waiting for, so I'll tell you now that the second to last landing near the top of the Lincoln Memorial is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous 'I Have Dream Speech.' "Smiling, the tour bus driver glanced into his mirror as the riders gathered their bags and readied their cameras, clutching scarves and coats to prepare to step into the icy Washington DC air. I peered at the sea of photo takers who had already beat us to the iconic spot.
On this Martin Luther King Day and nearing the 50th anniversary of his death, these visitors could have spent their day off anywhere. But, like me, they chose to be here. Unlike the crowded canals of Venice or tourist-heavy attractions of New York City, it stuck out to me that I didn’t overhear anyone complaining about the selfie-takers or making other cliche remarks about too many tourists. Quite the opposite. The visitors from every corner of the world, speaking every dialect and language, helped each other ensure their photos were of the best quality. Fifty years later, just the residual energy and spirit of the words spoken in that space made instant collaborators out of strangers. Washington, DC has always been one of the central and most symbolic cities in Civil Rights history. And it continues to be one of the most significant stops along the
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The Lincoln Memorial
On 28 August 1963, some 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The March on Washington, officially titled the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, was a protest help to draw attention to continuing challenges and inequalities faced by African Americans in an era of Jim Crow and segregation. Six of the most prominent civil rights movement leaders organized the march: A. Philip Randolph, Whitney M. Young Jr., Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer, Roy Wilkins, and John Lewis. The march aimed to advocate for civil and economic rights for African Americans. In addition, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his now-iconic "I Have A Dream" speech on the memorial's steps.
Standing on the significant steps of the great orator, I felt a sense of peace and awe wash over me. As I looked out onto the National Mall, I could only imagine what it felt like to have a sea of faces hanging on your every word at a time when it seemed that your voice was meaningless. I thought of the people who travel from across the country as they did on this particular day for the single belief “that all men are created equal.”Unsurprisingly, the March on Washington is one of the most significant political rallies for human rights in American history and a catalyst for the Civil rights act of 1964.
Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW
Hours: Located outdoors and always open to the public
Price: Free
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
The most prominent figure in the struggle for civil rights, Martin Luther King Jr, has become synonymous with eloquence and articulation in the face of injustice. Dr. King was the first African American to be honored on the National Mall. While it is said that all statues in the District should be shorter than the 19 1/2-foot Statue of Freedom, which stands on top of the Capitol, the MLK Memorial stands 30 feet high. Dr. King’s likeness is carved into the Stone of Hope and represents the Mountain of Despair.
On the side of Stone of Hope, the words "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope," a line from Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, are cut into the stone. A 450-foot inscription wall features 14 quotations from Dr. King's speeches, sermons, and writings around the monument. A council of historians selected the quotes. Among them is Poet Laureate Maya Angelou. In addition, I learned an interesting fact: The famous DC cherry blossom trees are positioned to bloom in a particular spot so that Martin Luther King Jr. can be observed gazing upon them.
Address:
1964 Independence Avenue Southwest
Hours: Always open. From
9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., rangers are on-site to answer questions about the memorial
Price: Free
The Supreme Court
The highest court in the land is the site of some of the most significant and life-affirming judgments in the United States, including the landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. The decision made segregation of public schools illegal, effectively overturning separate but equal. “We conclude, unanimously, that in public education, the doctrine of ‘separate but equal has no place. Instead, separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”
It’s impossible to see the Supreme and not feel something. Although, at the time, I may not agree or understand rulings made within the chambers, I can appreciate the work and effort that goes into laws that will ultimately affect how people live their lives. It’s hard to imagine a world where things I’ve often taken for granted, like waking up and taking a bus to school, would be a right African American still alive today had to fight for. Address: 1 First Street NortheastHours:
Monday – Friday (except Federal Holidays), 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Price: Free. The Supreme Court does not offer guided walking tours, but visitors are encouraged to tour public portions of the building on a self-guided basis. In addition, court sessions are open to the public.
John Philip Sousa Middle School
Not far from the Supreme Court, where Brown vs. the Board of Education was decided, is another landmark in integrating the public education system. John Philip Sousa Middle School (formerly Junior High) became the scene of a civil rights case when 12 black students were denied entry into the then all-white public school.
Schools had become overcrowded in the segregated African American neighborhoods, and the opening of the new junior high in 1950 held great promise—a group of parents in the black community nearby petitioned for integration but were rejected. In protest, twelve students, accompanied by their parents, lawyers, and a police escort, sought to be admitted to the school but were denied. The resulting Bolling v. Sharpe argued before the Supreme Court, held that school segregation was unconstitutional in the District under the Fifth Amendment
Address: 3650 Ely Place
Hours: not open to the public. Note: This landmark is a current public school.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture
Opened in September 2016, the Museum of African American History and Culture is the first and, currently, the only national museum wholly dedicated to the experience of African Americans. From Harriet Tubman, the Tuskegee Airman, and Black Lives Matter to Islam in early colonial America, the Harlem Renaissance and segregation, and Jim Crow. You will learn how violinist Ginger Smock blazed the trail for female musicians and how lynching became a tool of terror in the black community. The museum houses more than 36,000 artifacts and features exhibits on African and African-American culture and contributions to arts and music, the military, athletics, etc. Unlike some artifacts found in the other Smithsonian museums, the objects and exhibits don’t feel so distant. And purposefully so. The displays here are from days not long ago. It was humbling and frequently chilling to witness history and know that this isn’t from the imagination of a filmmaker or screenwriter as it often feels so removed from the screen. But instead, the former lives of individuals are subjected to cruelty and unfairness.
“Creating A Segregated Society” sheds light on how the government upheld laws and “redlining” condemned African Americans to second-class citizens. In this space, you’ll find James Baldwin’s passport, Addeperle’s costume from The Wiz on Broadway and the Olympics credential badge for Gabby Douglas, as well as slave auction posters and Emmett Till’s casket. The sheer amount of information is overwhelming, so I recommend taking a full day and not trying to schedule too many stops along the way. Address:
Hours: Open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
Price: Free, but you must obtain a timed entry ticket here. Limited passes are available each day.
"What happened here changed the world."
Now, nearly fifty years after the Civil Rights Movement, it is vital that we honor the history and pay special attention to the locations and events that started a global dialog. These past few weeks, I’ve visited many landmarks on this trail and felt compelled by the images and stories I’ve heard. It reminds me of the privilege of traveling the country freely and without fear. No matter what your destination this year, take some time to share in the extraordinary tales of perseverance in the face of racism, segregation, and illegal voting practices, and stand in the footsteps of those who sacrificed life and limb in the pursuit of equality.
Over 100 attractions across 14 states
These landmarks are full of gripping and soul-stirring history and aim to educate national and international travelers about recent American history's dark but significant period. Careful and particular emphasis has been given to preserving these iconic landmarks and their role in the tapestry of the United States.