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‘This Is the Day: The March on Washington’

On Aug. 28, 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led the March on Washington, at which he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the base of the Lincoln Memorial. Photographer Leonard Freed was there to document the civil rights march. His work that day is being presented in a new book, “This Is the Day: The March on Washington.” Here is a sample of some of Freed’s images from that day.

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Leonard Freed’s photos from the Aug. 28, 1963, March on Washington have never before been published in a book. “This Is the Day” is being published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the march.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

Historians estimate that 250,000 people attended the rally, making the Mall and its wood lath fences bulge outward.

Historians estimate that 250,000 people attended the rally, making the Mall and its wood lath fences bulge outward.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

The march, most well known for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, is considered a tide-changing moment in the civil rights movement.

The march, most well known for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, is considered a tide-changing moment in the civil rights movement.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

President John F. Kennedy initially tried to get march organizer A. Philip Randolph to call it off, but he and other march leaders declined.

President John F. Kennedy initially tried to get march organizer A. Philip Randolph to call it off, but he and other march leaders declined.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

Unlike the iconic photography of the march, Freed's photos avoids major figures (King appears just once, in this photo), instead zooming in on the private moments in the crowd, like the next photo.

Unlike the iconic photography of the march, Freed's photos avoids major figures (King appears just once, in this photo), instead zooming in on the private moments in the crowd, like the next photo.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

When the march happened, the civil rights movement was in full swing. A few months earlier, King was knee-deep in the Birmingham campaign, which included sit-ins, marches and business boycotts. Images of police unleashing water cannons and police dogs on protesters incensed the public.

When the march happened, the civil rights movement was in full swing. A few months earlier, King was knee-deep in the Birmingham campaign, which included sit-ins, marches and business boycotts. Images of police unleashing water cannons and police dogs on protesters incensed the public.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

In the 1960s, segregation and discrimination pervaded the South. Blacks faced high unemployment, low job mobility and low wages. Before voting, many blacks were forced to pass 'literacy tests.'

In the 1960s, segregation and discrimination pervaded the South. Blacks faced high unemployment, low job mobility and low wages. Before voting, many blacks were forced to pass "literacy tests."

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

Women were largely seen but not heard at the march. The only female speaker was international star Josephine Baker. Additionally, Mahalia Jackson and Marian Anderson sang during the program.

Women were largely seen but not heard at the march. The only female speaker was international star Josephine Baker. Additionally, Mahalia Jackson and Marian Anderson sang during the program.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

The marchers came dressed in their Sunday best. They sang songs, including the civil rights anthem 'We Shall Overcome.'

The marchers came dressed in their Sunday best. They sang songs, including the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome."

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

Religious figures, labor organizations, blacks and whites rallied together for civil rights.

Religious figures, labor organizations, blacks and whites rallied together for civil rights.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

After the crowds dissipated, Kennedy met with King and other figures from the march at the White House.

After the crowds dissipated, Kennedy met with King and other figures from the march at the White House.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed the next year, and the Voting Rights Act the year after that.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed the next year, and the Voting Rights Act the year after that.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

Freed centered his life's work on social injustice and social violence. He soaked his camera in images of the civil rights movement, Jewish communities and life in New York. Freed died in 2006.

Freed centered his life's work on social injustice and social violence. He soaked his camera in images of the civil rights movement, Jewish communities and life in New York. Freed died in 2006.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

In 1983, Freed would return to Washington to shoot the 20th anniversary march.

In 1983, Freed would return to Washington to shoot the 20th anniversary march.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

King's presence was everywhere at the 20th anniversary march.

King's presence was everywhere at the 20th anniversary march.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

Also at the event: anti-Reagan posters.

Also at the event: anti-Reagan posters.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

The 1983 marchers dressed casually in contrast to the 'Sunday best' dress of 1963 attendees.

The 1983 marchers dressed casually in contrast to the "Sunday best" dress of 1963 attendees.

Estate of Leonard Freed / Magnum Photos (Brigitte Freed)

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

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WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Johnathon Carrington, valedictorian at Dunbar High School, laughs with family and friends after his school's graduation ceremony at Howard University on Friday, June 14, 2013, in Washington, DC. Carrington, who grew up in Tyler House public-housing apartments and is graduating from one of DC's low-performing high schoolsy, where academic expectations are high. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Reenactors dressed as knights stage a medieval jousting competition at Eltham Palace on June 16, 2013 in Eltham, England. The 'Grand Medieval Joust' event at Eltham Palace, an English Heritage property which was the childhood home of King Henry VIII, aims to give a great insight into life at the palace during the medieval period. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

The Grand Medieval Joust

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In this June 8, 2013 photo, youth compete in the Sao Carlos slum local soccer tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The pitch is just dirt and the incandescent lights aren't so bright. But when the boys' feet strike the football in the Sao Carlos slum as night falls every Saturday, big league dreams glow, inflated by the hope of escaping the shantytown with sporting skills. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

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LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 16: Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady reacts after being crowned Miss USA during the 2013 Miss USA pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on June 16, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady is crowned Miss USA 2013 in Las Vegas.

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