1979 – African Liberation Day in Washington D.C.

On May 25, 1979, over 30,000 people gathered in Washington D.C. to commemorate African Liberation Day—an international expression of solidarity with African struggles for freedom. Founded in 1958 and officially linked to the OAU’s formation in 1963, African Liberation Day gained traction among the Black diaspora, especially in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Europe. The 1979 rally was one of the largest in North America, connecting African-American civil rights leaders, Pan-Africanists, and anti-colonial activists under one banner. Attendees protested apartheid in South Africa, neocolonialism, and Western imperialism while promoting self-determination for African nations. The event symbolized the fusion of Black Power and Pan-African thought and strengthened global networks of resistance. May 25 remains a day for cultural celebration, political education, and community organizing, linking Black liberation movements across continents. It continues to remind the diaspora of its global identity and shared historical destiny.