what started the ,march on washington
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. On 28 August 1963, more than 200,000 demonstrators took part in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in the nationâs capital. The march was successful in pressuring the administration of John F. Kennedy to initiate a strong federal civil rights bill in Congress. During this event, Martin Luther King delivered his memorable ââI Have a Dreamââ speech. The 1963 March on Washington had several precedents.