Late in October 1973, grassroots prolife leaders became concerned that January 22, 1974, might come and go without properly memorializing the Supreme Court’s infamous abortion decisions and without petitioning Congress for redress.
No established right-to-life organization was prepared to undertake the planning, financial and operational responsibilities for a high impact prolife March on the U.S. Capitol. But, grassroots prolifers wanted to march! About thirty prolife veterans resolved themselves into a committee and began making plans for the first MARCH FOR LIFE.
On January 22, 1974, the first MARCH FOR LIFE was held on the West Steps of the Capitol. An estimated 20,000 committed prolife Americans rallied that day on behalf of our preborn brothers and sisters.
In 1974, the MARCH FOR LIFE was incorporated as a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian organization.
Our numbers have gradually risen through the years despite reduced numbers from the snow in 2000 and the terrible 9/11 attacks just months before the March 2002. These growing numbers give testimony to the increasing ranks of prolife Americans and to the importance of the March’s work.
The Marchers Keep Marching
The First March 1974 (20,000)
March 1975 (50,000)
March 1976 (65,000)
Marches 1977-1998 (Up to 100,000)
The 25th March 1998 (225,000)
March 1999 (125,000)
March 2000 (100,000)
March 2001 (225,000)
March 2002 (100,000)
Marches 2003 – 2007 (200,000)
