African American children, members of the 13th generation of Americans that would become known as Generation X, march in Washington D.C. on March 25, 1972.

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and a great excuse to look back on some of the first protests of Generation X, including the first time Gen-Xers marched in Washington. The year was 1972 and the event was called the Children’s March for Survival.

Today’s Daily Photo features children who attended the event. They look so cold all huddled together in their winter coats. It got down to 28 degrees in Washington D.C. that day. The high was only 39. They were committed to their cause along with the mothers who carried them there. Please click here to read more about Gen X protests and the 1972 Children’s March for Survival.

Children’s March for Survival, Washington D.C., 1972

Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today…

Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what’s going on
What’s going on
Ya, what’s going on
Ah, what’s going on

–Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On, 1971

May the peace of our Lord be with you today and forever.

A mother marches with her children in Washington D.C., 1972

Please leave this field empty

Name

Email *

Thank you for subscribing. Posts are delivered ONCE A WEEK on Sundays at 6 p.m. You can unsubscribe anytime with one click. Also, we will not share your email address with anyone.

Thank you for connecting with me. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. If you use gmail, the confirmation will be located in the UPDATES tab.