On Aug. 28, 1963, nearly 300,000 people descended on Washington, D.C., in support of civil and economic rights for African Americans. The march, commonly know as the "march for jobs and freedom" is widely credited with influencing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights act of 1965.

The event which culminated in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech, has had lasting effects throughout America for generations.

This is the Day: The March on Washington showcases Magnum photographer Leonard Freed's documentation of the historic march. Freed's work exposed the racial inequalities and tensions that plagued a growing nation. He captured the emotions of a group of people whose past were filled with struggles and futures were populated with great hope.

The following pictures, provided by the Estate of Leonard Freed via Magnum Photos, presents a small selection of Freed's documentation of the event.

In 1983, during the 20th anniversary of the march, Mr. Freed once again documented the event.

On June 5, 2013, 6 P.M. The New York Public Library will present a panel of speakers to discuss the legacy of the event. It will take place at the Margaret Liebman Berger Forum, Room 227 on 5th Avenue at 42nd Street in New York City. The event is free to the public. Click here for more information.