On October 16, 1995, approximately 1.2 million African American men converged on the nation's capitol to participate in the historic Million Man March, spearheaded by Minister Louis Farrakhan, the controversial head of the Nation of Islam. The march was a call for black men to "look inward at ourselves, what we are, what we have become … and what we can do to be better people and help build black communities." Men from all over the country traveled by bus, plane, train, and automobile to take part in the 15-hour event, in what would be the largest gathering of African Americans in the nation's history. Those who could not attend were asked to stay away from work in honor of the march and watch it on television, where all of the major networks carried live extensive coverage. In all, more than 2.2 million people watched the monumental event on television, and they witnessed black men from diverse backgrounds make a pledge to reclaim their communities. In the aftermath of the march there was no question that Farrakhan was, according to author Michael H. Cottman, "now one of the most influential leaders in black America."

Further Reading:

Cottman, Michael H. Million Man March. New York, Crown Trade Paperbacks, 1995.