Read "The March on Washington" and answer the question. On August 28, 1963, at least 250,000 people of all different backgrounds gathered at the Washington Monument in Washington, D. C. to demonstrate for civil rights. They believed that all people should be treated equally under the law. Organized by civil rights leaders across the country, the demonstration was called the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was the largest protest ever seen in the United States.

The event was well organized and well attended. Volunteers had prepared 80,000 lunches, and special buses and trains were chartered to bring attendees into the heart of the capital. Water stations and first-aid areas were provided to keep people safe. A stage was also set up and a formal program was scheduled.

The crowd was a mix of citizens from around the country, young and old, black and white, and celebrities and ordinary citizens. Together, they marched down Washington's streets toward the Lincoln Memorial. Demonstrating at the monument commemorating Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president who had fought against slavery, sent a powerful message. The march also coincided with the 100-year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln's 1863 executive order to end slavery in 10 states.

Many speakers addressed the crowd. They represented different civil rights organizations, labor unions, and religions, but their messages built on each other. Everyone was focused on the same goal. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the last to speak. He delivered what would become one of the most famous speeches in history. Speaking eloquently, King referenced the country's Founding Fathers and the Bible while describing the struggles faced by African Americans. His speech was scheduled to be four minutes long, but King spoke for sixteen instead. He closed by describing his dreams for equality. King's "I Have a Dream" speech identified him as a major figure of the civil rights movement. His emotional speech has been referenced in presidential addresses numerous times, and his words have inspired generations.

After the speeches, the marchers proceeded to the White House to meet with President Kennedy. They implored him to provide equality for all Americans. The march was an important catalyst for change. Two years later, on July 2, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, which made employment discrimination and segregation illegal. He then signed the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965, removing some of the barriers African Americans faced when voting. It appeared that some of King's "dream" was coming true.

The March on Washington was a successful, nonviolent demonstration. It served to spur on important change, and its legacy is still felt today.

What evidence does the author use to support the point that the march was a catalyst for change?

a The author mentions two acts that came to pass after the march.
b The author tells how the march happened on a historic anniversary.
c The author describes the power and legacy of King's famous speech.
d The author explains the years of preparation that went into the march.