Today, a massive crowd gathered together to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Members of the 1963 march led the large crowd down Constitution Ave. The crowd walked arm and arm in the light rain. More than 200,000 people joined to celebrate the historical march.

The event began with an interfaith prayer service at Shiloh Baptist Church, which was invitation-only. Next on the schedule was the playing of a segment from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial. Afterward, a commemoration called "Let Freedom Ring" began.

The celebration ended with a speech with by President Barack Obama. Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton also spoke, as well as Rev. Al Sharpton and Oprah Winfrey.

The last living speaker from the 1963 March on Washington, John Lewis, also spoke. Lewis is a Democratic Representative from Georgia.

LeAnn Rimes, Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and BeBe Winans also performed.

At 3 p.m. Americans also celebrated the 50th anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech by hosting "Let Freedom Ring" events, ringing bells in celebration and respect.

This year's commemorative march was also a way for the older generation to pass down responsibilities to America's next generation. The responsibilities include ensuring that the civil rights movement's goals prosper and that equality, which was "embedded in the founding of America," as Cheryl LaRoche said, is present for all members of the community.

"I love the young people," LaRoche said. "They let you know they're going to pick up your work." LaRoche was 17 years old when she participated in the first March on Washington. She drove from New York to Washington D.C. in order to participate. This year, LaRoche brought her 17-year-old grandson, Jackson Price, to the march.