This Day in History: 1965-03-21

The third and final Selma to Montgomery voting rights March begins as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, leads close to 8,000 people from the starting point at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Selma, commencing the trek to Montgomery. The March would continue over the next four days, completing on March 25. Most of the participants were black, but some were white and some were Asian and Latino. Spiritual leaders of multiple races, religions, and creeds marched abreast with Dr. King, including Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Iakovos, Rabbis Abraham Joshua Heschel and Maurice Davis, and at least one nun, all of whom were depicted in a photo that has become famous. The Dutch Catholic priest Henri Nouwen joined the march on March 24. Learn more.