Music and the 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)

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

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

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)

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)