Photograph by

Williams, Milton, American, born 1940

Subject of

Johnson, Fortas

People United to Save Humanity, American, founded 1971

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper, mounting board

Dimensions

H x W (Image and Sheet): 9 7/8 x 7 15/16 in. (25.1 x 20.2 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place depicted

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

January 15, 1975

Description

A black-and-white photograph of an protester with a large sign on his back. It says, “My name is Ulysses. I am asking the people of the people’s republic of China, to prepare a place for the children of my people…I am asking the government of the United States to let these children go… The white people are trying to destroy the black people through starvation and the birth control system…” To the left a man dressed as Abraham Lincoln walks by. The photograph is attached to a thick mounting board. The board is stamped and inscribed on the back.

Topic

African American

Local and regional

Photography

Race relations

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Milton Williams Archives

Object number

2011.15.42

Restrictions & Rights

© Milton Williams

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Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Poor People's Campaign, American, 1967 - 1968

Medium

oil paint and ink on plywood

Dimensions

H x W x D: 48 x 96 x 1/2 in. (121.9 x 243.8 x 1.3 cm)

Type

mural paintings

Place used

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

Second (2) of twelve (12) painted plywood panels from the Resurrection City mural that was created and displayed in the encampment on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 1968. Depicted on this panel is the continuation of the phrase "HUNGER'S WALL" from the panel to the left, along with other text in red, black and yellow paint, including "AMERICA - BREAK DOWN YOUR WALL", "Cosmic Brotherhood (High Frequency)", "Peace Brother", "MESTIZO", "LATINOS UNIDOS PARA SIEMPRE", and " Blackness for Blacks." This segment is from the upper row of panels, second from the left.

Topic

African American

Activism

Art

Black power

Freedom

Justice

Local and regional

Men

Poverty

Race relations

Resistance

United States--History--1961-1969

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Vincent DeForest

Object number

2012.110.2

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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Classification

Visual Arts

Exhibition

A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 1, C1 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Printed by

Unidentified

Used by

Dr. Edgerton, Samuel Y. Jr., American

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm)

Type

programs

Place used

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

August 28, 1963

Description

Program from the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial. The program is a single page folded in half to create a booklet. The top of the front page has the march title and date in large black letters underlined by a black decorative border. It reads "MARCH ON WASHINGTON/ FOR JOBS AND FREEDOM/ AUGUST 28, 1963." Below the line is the program title in large black block print "LINCOLN MEMORIAL PROGRAM." Below the program title are two columns of text. The column on the left lists the kind of events during the program and the column on the right lists who is participating in the given event and their affiliation. At the bottom center is bold, black text that reads "WE SHALL OVERCOME."

Inside, on the left hand page is an essay, in black print, of the aspirations and goals of the march. Under the essay are the names and affiliations of the movement leaders and supporters. On the right hand page is a formal list of demands of the movement.

The back page is a map of part of the National Mall. It shows the marcher's route, beginning at the Washington Monument and around the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial. It also shows three zones for bus parking for the marchers.

Topic

African American

Civil rights

Labor

Local and regional

Politics (Practical)

Race relations

Segregation

United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Samuel Y. Edgerton

Object number

2013.187.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Delta Apparel Inc., American, founded 2000

Subject of

Million Man March, American, founded 1995

Medium

ink on cotton

Dimensions

H x W: 30 1/2 × 36 1/2 in. (77.5 × 92.7 cm)

Type

T-shirts

Place collected

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

2015

Description

A royal blue "20th Anniversary" t-shirt.

At the top in the center it reads [20TH ANNIVERSARY] in white text with a black outline and a yellow outline. Below that there is a rectangular color photo of thousands of people standing on the National Mall with the Washington monument in the background. Below the photo it reads [MMM] in thick, bold text. The three (3) letters have the image of a waving American flag inside. The letters do not have an outline. On top of the "MMM" it reads [ALL ROADS LEAD TO/ WASHINGTON, DC] with the top line in thin black text with a white outline and a yellow outline, and the bottom line in bold white text with a black outline and a yellow outline. Below the "MMM" There is a greyscale rectangular photo of people with their fists raised in front of the US Capitol building. The top of the Capitol extends out of the rectangle and covers part of the middle "M". Over the photo it reads [MILLION MAN MARCH] in bold white text with a black outline. Below the photo in the center it reads [OCTOBER 10 2015] in thin black text with a white outline and a yellow outline.

The back of the shirt is solid blue.

There are two (2) white tags inside of the t-shirt near the neckline. The tag on top is shorter. It has a navy triangle with a red circle around it. Above the triangle and inside the circle it reads [DELTA] in navy. Cutting through the middle of the circle and the triangle there is text which reads [PRO WEIGHT ®]. The tag below is longer. It reads [100% PRESHRUNK COTTON/ADULT ADULTO ADULTE/MADE IN HONDURAS]. Above "100% Preshrunk Cotton" the tag has [100% PRESHRUNK COTTON/MADE IN HONDURAS] typed in two different languages. Below "Made in Honduras" at the bottom there is a chart with six (6) rectangles. In the top three (3) rectangles are the words "SIZE", "TALLA", and "TAILLE". The bottom three (3) rectangles say "XL", "XG", and "TG". The back of the longer tag has laundry instructions printed on it.

Topic

African American

Activism

Civil rights

Clothing and dress

Justice

Local and regional

Men

Race relations

Social reform

United States--History--2001-

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.251.11

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Collection title

Million Man March Anniversary Collection

Classification

Clothing-Historical

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Subject of

Million Man March, American, founded 1995

Medium

ink on paper with plastic laminate and metal

Dimensions

Diameter: 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm)

Type

buttons (information artifacts)

Place collected

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

2015

Description

A black pinback button.

It reads [BLACK/LIVES/MATTER/everyday] in white.

There are several small scratches on the pin. The back is metal and does not have anything on it other than a pin at the top.

Topic

African American

Activism

Civil rights

Justice

Men

Race relations

Social reform

United States--History--2001-

Violence

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.251.14.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Collection title

Million Man March Anniversary Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Freedman, Jill, American, born 1939

Subject of

Poor People's Campaign, American, 1967 - 1968

Tijerina, Reies, 1926 - 2015

Unidentified Woman or Women

Unidentified Man or Men

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin and photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 8 11/16 × 12 15/16 in. (22 × 32.9 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 10 7/8 × 14 in. (27.7 × 35.6 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place depicted

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

1968; printed September 2017

Description

A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Reies Tijerina surrounded by supporters and reporters. Supporters hold signs that read [We / WANT / OUR / LAND / BACK!] and [a / TREATY / is the / SUPREME / LAW OF THE / LAND]. Reporters hold hand microphones, and a boom microphone and camera are also visible. The print is signed on the back in graphite [Jill Freedman].

Topic

African American

Activism

American West

Justice

Local and regional

Politics (Practical)

Poverty

Race relations

United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2017.81.18

Restrictions & Rights

© Jill Freedman

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Portfolio/Series

Resurrection City

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Exhibition

City of Hope: Resurrection City and the 1968 Poor People's Campaign

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Distributed by

Justice or Else, American, founded 2015

Subject of

Million Man March, American, founded 1995

Medium

ink on paper with plastic laminate and metal

Dimensions

Diameter: 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)

Type

buttons (information artifacts)

Place collected

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

2015

Description

A black pinback button.

It reads [20 YEARS LATER...WE STAND/ Justice, OR ELSE.] in white. In between the two lines of text is a large "2015" with a picture of a crowd on the National Mall in front of the Capitol Building. The image is inside of the numbers.

There are several small scratches on the pin. The back is metal and does not have anything on it other than a pin at the top.

Topic

African American

Activism

Civil rights

Justice

Local and regional

Men

Race relations

Social reform

United States--History--2001-

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.251.14.1

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Million Man March Anniversary Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Printed by

Justice or Else, American, founded 2015

Subject of

Million Man March, American, founded 1995

Medium

ink on poster board

Dimensions

H x W: 24 × 12 in. (61 × 30.5 cm)

Type

posters

Place collected

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

2015

Description

Two "Pro-Black Doesn't Mean Anti-White" posters.

A white rectangular poster. It reads [PRO-BLACK/DOESN'T MEAN/ANTI-WHITE], with "doesn't mean" in grey and the rest of the text in black. On the proper left side there is a line drawing of a raised, closed fist in black and white. Below the fist it reads [#justiceorelse] in black text.

Topic

African American

Activism

Civil rights

Justice

Local and regional

Men

Race relations

Social reform

United States--History--2001-

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.251.5.1-.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Million Man March Anniversary Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Delta Apparel Inc., American, founded 2000

Subject of

Justice or Else, American, founded 2015

Million Man March, American, founded 1995

Medium

ink on cotton

Dimensions

H x W: 30 × 32 in. (76.2 × 81.3 cm)

Type

T-shirts

Place collected

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

2015

Description

A white "Justice or Else" t-shirt.

At the top it reads [20th Anniversary] in white script with a black outline and a yellow outline. Below that it reads [MILLION/MAN/MARCH] in bold black text with a white outline and a yellow outline. In smaller letters, written on top of "Million Man March" it reads [JUSTICE/OR/ELSE] in bold white text with a black outline and a yellow outline. To the proper left of the word "Man" There is a sepia tone image of thousands of people standing in front of the reflecting pool. The Washington monument is in the background. Below the word "March" there is a sepia tone photo of a crowd of men raising their fists. Below the photo it reads [WASHINGTON, DC] in bold white text with a black outline and a yellow outline. Underneath it reads [OCTOBER 10 2015] in thin black text.

The back of the shirt is solid white.

There are two (2) white tags inside of the t-shirt near the neckline. The tag on top is shorter. It has a navy triangle with a red circle around it. Above the triangle and inside the circle it reads [DELTA] in navy. Cutting through the middle of the circle and the triangle there is text which reads [PRO WEIGHT ®]. The back of the tag has the address, telephone number, and website for Delta Apparel, Inc. The tag below is longer. It reads [100% PRESHRUNK COTTON/ADULT ADULTO ADULTE/MADE IN HONDURAS]. Above "100% Preshrunk Cotton" the tag has [100% PRESHRUNK COTTON/MADE IN HONDURAS] typed in two different languages. Below "Made in Honduras" at the bottom there is a chart with six (6) rectangles. In the top three (3) rectangles are the words "SIZE", "TALLA", and "TAILLE". The bottom three (3) rectangles say "L", "G", and "G". The back of the longer tag has laundry instructions printed on it.

Topic

African American

Activism

Civil rights

Clothing and dress

Justice

Local and regional

Men

Race relations

Social reform

United States--History--2001-

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.251.10

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Collection title

Million Man March Anniversary Collection

Classification

Clothing-Historical

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Printed by

Justice or Else, American, founded 2015

Subject of

Million Man March, American, founded 1995

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 19 × 13 in. (48.3 × 33 cm)

Type

posters

Place collected

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

2015

Description

A white rectangular "Recycle Our Wealth" poster.

In the middle there is a drawing of two (2) hands reaching out and holding several stacks of money. The top proper left corner reads [Recycle] in red, [Our] in black, and [Wealth] in green. These are the Pan-African colors.

Below the hands the sign reads [Support Our Black Businesses!] in black. To the proper right of the text there is a "Justice...or Else!" logo inside of a black rectangle.

The logo has the shape of the U.S. Capitol building at the top. There is a line drawing of the Capitol in white. Below it there is a white rectangle. Inside it reads [JUSTICE.../OR/ELSE!] in white. There is a line between "Justice" and "Else" and the "Or" is in the center inside of a square. The "!" makes up a part of the rectangle that is around the words.

Below the rectangle it reads [20th ANNIVERSARY/THE MILLION MAN MARCH] in white, and below that it reads [10.10.15/WASHINGTON D.C.] in yellow.

Topic

African American

Activism

Business

Civil rights

Justice

Local and regional

Men

Race relations

Social reform

United States--History--2001-

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.251.3

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Collection title

Million Man March Anniversary Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Esterbrook Pen Company, American, 1947 - 1967

Used by

President Johnson, Lyndon Baines, American, 1908 - 1973

Medium

chrome steel and acrylic

Dimensions

H x W: 6 1/4 x 1/2 in. (15.9 x 1.3 cm)

Type

fountain pens

Place used

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

1965

Description

2010.45.1a: A pen with a silver-colored nib, black grip, and clear barrel. "The President - The White House" is molded into the clear handle in white lettering.

2010.45.1b: Black ink on paper, a copy of S. 1564, an act to enforce the fifteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and for other purposes. The act was passed August 6, 1965.

2010.45.1c: Black ink on paper, a copy of H.R. 6400, a bill before the House of Representatives that purports to enforce the fifteenth amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

2010.45.1d: A magazine clipping showing an image of Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act

The four items were originally framed together in a commemorative display.

Topic

African American

Civil rights

Law

Local and regional

Politics (Practical)

Race discrimination

Race relations

Segregation

United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2010.45.1a-d

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Exhibition

Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Issued by

American Colonization Society, American, 1816 - 1964

Received by

Cresson, Sarah Emlen, American

Signed by

Madison, James, American, 1751 - 1836

Gurley, Ralph Randolph, American, 1797 - 1872

Cresson, Elliott, American, 1797 - 1854

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 11 3/8 in. (22.9 x 28.9 cm)

Type

membership cards

Place made

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

February 22, 1832

Description

A membership certificate to the American Colonization Society for Sarah Emlen Cresson signed by James Madison as the president of the society on February 22, 1832. The certificate has pre-printed text with spaces for filling in the date and member name by hand. At the center top of the certificate is a bundle of dark clouds with a half-circle of sun rays bursting from it. At the center bottom is a seal that shows a ship following a bird across the ocean to Liberia with text in the outer rim reading "LUX IN TENEBRIS / AM: COL: SOC: A.D. 1816." The seal is surrounded by various types of foliage. The certificate is signed in the bottom left corner by "R.R. Gurley, Secretary" and in the bottom right corner by "James Madison Presed't" inside the lined border of the certificate, and in the bottom left corner outside the border "Attest / Elliott Cresson / 1 mo 8. 1834". The reverse is blank.

Topic

African American

Emancipation

Free communities of color

International affairs

Local and regional

Race relations

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2010.77.9

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Exhibition

Slavery and Freedom

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Southern Christian Leadership Conference, American, founded 1957

Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968

King, Coretta Scott, American, 1927 - 2006

Rev. Abernathy, Ralph David, American, 1926 - 1990

Guevara, Che, Argentine, 1928 - 1967

Zapata, Emiliano, Mexican, 1879 - 1919

Villa, Pancho, Mexican, 1878 - 1923

Murrieta, Joaquin, Mexican, c. 1829 - c. 1853

National Liberation Front, active 1954 - 1976

Chairman Tse-Tung, Mao, Chinese, 1893 - 1976

President Kennedy, John F., American, 1917 - 1963

Senator Robert F. Kennedy, American, 1925 - 1968

X, Malcolm, American, 1925 - 1965

Poor People's Campaign, American, 1967 - 1968

Medium

oil paint and ink on plywood

Dimensions

H x W x D (overall): 123 × 384 × 1/2 in. (312.4 × 975.4 × 1.3 cm)

Type

mural paintings

Place used

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

This is a mural, comprised of twelve (12) painted plywood panels, that was created and displayed in the Resurrection City encampment on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 1968. The panels were installed together, four panels (4) horizontally across the top and eight (8) panels installed vertically on the bottom, to form a thirty-two (32) foot long wall. The boards were painted by Resurrection City activists with slogans, quotes and art. Painted text at the top of the panel reads: [Hunger's Wall: Tell It Like It Is].

Topic

African American

Activism

Art

Black power

Freedom

Justice

Local and regional

Men

Poverty

Race relations

Resistance

United States--History--1961-1969

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Vincent DeForest

Object number

2012.110

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Visual Arts

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Chairman Tse-Tung, Mao, Chinese, 1893 - 1976

Poor People's Campaign, American, 1967 - 1968

Medium

oil paint and ink on plywood

Dimensions

H x W x D: 75 x 48 x 1/2 in. (190.5 x 121.9 x 1.3 cm)

Type

mural paintings

Place used

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

Eighth (8) of twelve (12) painted plywood panels from the Resurrection City mural that was created and displayed in the encampment on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 1968. On this panel is a variety of text painted in red, brown, yellow and black, including "BROTHER MAO", "BLACK!! OR WHAT", "Inkster", "Pax", "the MEEK shall inherit the EARTH when they stop BEING MEEK" and incomplete portions of the phrase "Black WOMEN!!!", "PUERTO RICO" and "Join the Black Liberation Front." This segment is from the lower center, fourth from the left.

Topic

African American

Activism

Art

Black power

Freedom

Justice

Local and regional

Men

Poverty

Race relations

Resistance

United States--History--1961-1969

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Vincent DeForest

Object number

2012.110.8

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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Classification

Visual Arts

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Workers World Party (WWP), American, founded 1959

Subject of

Million Man March, American, founded 1995

Medium

ink, paper, poster board, metal, duct tape, and medium density fiberboard

Dimensions

H x W x D (Overall height and width of sign): 55 × 17 1/2 in. (139.7 × 44.5 cm)

H x W (Width of handle): 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)

Type

signs

Place collected

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

2015

Description

A sign protesting police terror.

It is made of white rectangular pieces of paper stapled onto white poster board. The two pieces of poster board are stapled together as well. There is a cylindrical brown MDF handle in between the front and back sides of the sign. There is an opening at the top center of the two pieces of poster board where the top of the handle can be seen. The sign is also stapled to the handle.

The sign reads [Ferguson/to/Charleston/End/Racist/Terror!] in black. Below the text there is a black rectangle with white text reading [Workers World Party/workers.org].

The back of the sign has a black rectangle at the top. Inside of the rectangle there is white text which reads [Stonewall/Ferguson/Baltimore]. Below the rectangle there is black text which reads [Uprisings/Against/Police/Terror]. There is another black rectangle at the bottom with white text inside that reads [Workers World Party/workers.org].

The sign is folded and wrinkled in several places. There are many staples on the sign. The fronts and backs of staples can be seen on either side of the poster. There is silver duct tape wrapped around the bottom of the handle. It is not wrapped evenly- some pieces are higher up on the handle than others. There are also some small brown stains on the tape.

Topic

African American

Activism

Civil rights

Justice

LGBTQ

Local and regional

Men

Race relations

Sexuality

Social reform

United States--History--2001-

Violence

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.251.1

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Million Man March Anniversary Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture