The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Since taking office, President Obama has welcomed many icons of the civil rights movement to the White House. Learn more.
Since taking office, President Obama has welcomed many icons of the civil rights movement to the White House, including Tuskegee Airmen, Freedom Riders, Negro League Baseball players, artists, musicians and activists. Today, with President Obama set to speak from the Lincoln Memorial to mark the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, we present some of our favorite behind the scenes moments of the President with these icons of African American history and the civil rights movement.
Be sure to tune in at 2:45 ET today to watch the President's remarks live at whitehouse.gov/live
Ruby Bridges visits her portrait in the White House
Ruby Bridges visited the White House to see how a painting commemorating her personal and historic milestone looks hanging on the wall outside of the Oval Office.
Tuskegee Airmen visit the White House
The President and the First Lady host Tuskegee Airmen along with cast and crew members of the movie Red Tails for a screening at the White House.
Dorothy Height with President Obama at the White House
Watch never-before-seen video of President Obama and "the godmother of the Civil Rights Movement," Dr. Dorothy Height, during a January intergenerational reflection on the civil rights movement at the White House.
President Obama and Willie Mays on Air Force One
The legendary Willie Mays joined President Obama for the flight out to St. Louis where the President threw the first pitch at the MLB All-Star game.
2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient - Congressman John Lewis
Since 1987, John Lewis has represented Georgia's 5th congressional district, which encompasses most of Atlanta. From age 18 when he met Martin Luther King, Jr., Lewis played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Inside the Groundbreaking of the National Museum of African American History and Culture
President Obama was on hand for the ground breaking at the site of the future Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Read blog posts from Admistration officials marking the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington:
- 50 Years Later, Our March Continues, by Eric Holder, Attorney General of the United States
- Our 'Fierce Urgency of Now,' by Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Becoming a More Perfect Union, by Cecilia Munoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council
