The March on Washington in Photos: Then and Now

The 50th anniversary of the iconic 1963 March on Washington is on Aug. 28, but tens of thousands gathered at the National Mall Saturday to hear from speakers such as Reverend Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III and Attorney General Eric Holder.

This hallmark moment in the Civil Rights struggle of the 1960s, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech, drew an enormous crowd of civil rights supporters from many races and backgrounds, and embodied the demands for change.

See also: 14 Stunning Photographs That Bridge Past and Present

Past and present merge together as we've gathered some pictures from the original 1963 march as well as from Saturday's gathering.

1963

A crowd of marchers gather before the Lincoln Memorial.
Image: National Archive

2013

Tim William (R) sits with a friend at the Lincoln Memorial while attending the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 'I have a Dream' speech on the National Mall.
Image: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

1963

Participants sitting by the Lincoln Memorial, with the Washington Monument in the background.
Image: National Archive

2013

Thousands of people line the reflecting pond area near the Lincoln Memorial as speakers deliver remarks at the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, DC.
Image: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images

1963

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial.
Image: National Archive

2013

A statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is pictured stands in memorial 50 years after his famous speech.
Image: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

1963

A wide-angle view of marchers along the Mall, with the Washington Monument in the background.
Image: National Archive

2013

Decades later, people arrive to the same place to celebrate the anniversary of the March on Washington on Aug. 24, 2013.
Pete Marovich/Getty Images

1963

Civil Rights Leaders march with participants fromt he Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial.
Image: National Archive

2013

Fifty years later, people marched for protection of voting right, Trayvon Martin, Chelsea Manning and other high-profile political issues.
Image: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images

BONUS: 1963 in 2013

#March on Washington.William Allison,92, came to the march with same in 1963. pic.twitter.com/YWinKR8PzO

— Hamil Harris (@HamilHarris) August 24, 2013

Homepage image: National Archive, Pete Marovich/Getty Images