Governor Quinn Commemorates 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the historic March on Washington which led to the passage of major civil rights reforms for the United States. At Chicago's DuSable Museum of African American History, Governor Quinn reminded celebrants that the battle for social justice often requires direct action, and that those who "voted with their feet" in 1963 showed unparalleled courage and patriotism.

"Without 250,000 Americans peacefully gathering 50 years ago today under Abraham Lincoln's watchful eye, Congress might not have passed the 1964 Civil Rights Act or the 1965 Voting Rights Act," Governor Quinn said. "Today, we honor all who marched and remember the everlasting words that Dr. Martin Luther King has left us."

The March on Washington is known as one of the largest demonstrations for human rights in the nation's history. The march called for meaningful civil and economic rights reform and took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1963. It was there that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the historically significant "I Have a Dream" speech.

Governor Quinn will later attend the 7th Annual Civil Rights Game at Cellular Field, where the Chicago White Sox will take on the Texas Rangers. The Civil Rights Game - and the accompanying Major League Baseball Beacon Awards Luncheon - helps honor those who fought for equality both on and off the playing field.