About this episode
This episode explores the pivotal role of Bayard Rustin in organizing the March on Washington.
When people remember the March on Washington they often recall the giant crowds or Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. Less known is the person who made the event possible. Today on the show, the story of Bayard Rustin, the man behind the March on Washington. To access bonus episodes and listen to Throughline sponsor-free, subscribe to Throughline+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/throughline . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
Topics covered
- civil rights
- historical figures
- social movements
- American history
- activism
Keywords
- Bayard Rustin
- March on Washington
- civil rights
- Dr. Martin Luther King
- activism
- history
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NPR
More episodes of Throughline
- The shifting line between free speech and a criminal threat · June 11, 2026 · 36 min
- The uncensored war · June 9, 2026 · 18 min
- The World Cup was supposed to bring world peace · June 4, 2026 · 52 min
- History's playbook for taming the beast of inflation · May 28, 2026 · 47 min
- Yuri Kochiyamas’s lifetime of activism · May 26, 2026 · 21 min
- Prediction markets are making a 150-year comeback · May 21, 2026 · 52 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Throughline podcast page.