PIX: Thousand commemorate 50th anniv of March on Washington

Fifty years after King made the iconic "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, US President Obama in his address to thousands who gathered on the Washington Mall paid tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and to the millions who stood by his side during the civil rights fight of the 1960s.

In an impassioned speech (external link), President Obama said America is stronger when Americans turn not from each other but towards each other and work to fix inequalities. He said organisers of the original 1963 march realised that “change does not come from Washington but to Washington.” The president urged Americans to “keep on marching” to fulfill his dream. “Because they marched, America became more free and more fair,” President Obama said.

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Former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter spoke movingly of King's legacy. "This march, and that speech, changed America," Clinton said.

Former President George W Bush, who is recovering from a heart procedure, did not attend, but in a written statement said, “our country has come a long way since that bright afternoon 50 years ago; yet our journey to justice is not complete.”

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Nearly five hours of speeches and performances marked the occasion, including appearances by everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Caroline Kennedy, USA Today reported.

Thousands of marchers gathered on Washington's national mall braving rain on Wednesday to commemorate civil rights leader King's famous "I have a dream" speech 50 years ago as activists said his goal of racial harmony remains elusive.

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US President Barack Obama watches as members of Martin Luther King Jr's family ring a bell during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of his "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

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US President Barack Obama speaks with Yolanda Renee King, daughter of Martin Luther King III (R ) and his wife Arndrea Waters King (C) at the end of a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

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Martin Luther King III speaks during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of his father Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech.

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Oprah Winfrey is pictured during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

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Crowds gather on the National Mall to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington.

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Caroline Kennedy speaks during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

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Singer LeAnn Rimes (L) performs during the 50th anniversary of the "March on Washington" at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Words from the first black U.S. president and bell ringing around the world on Wednesday will mark 50 years to the minute that civil rights leader Martin Luther King ended his landmark "I have a dream" speech.

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Fredette West (2nd R) and her granddaughter Campbell West (2nd L), 6, take photographs during the 50th anniversary of the "March on Washington" at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

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Trayvon Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton (2nd L) and Tracy Martin (2nd R), listen to folksingers Peter Yarrow (L) and Paul Stookey (R) during the 50th anniversary of the "March on Washington" at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

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Actor Jamie Foxx speaks during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Junior's "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

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Members of Junkanoo perform during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Junior's "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

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Crowds begin gathering on the National Mall to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington.

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Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) waves during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

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