The major civil rights event that occurred in Washington D.C. in August 1963 was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This event took place on August 28, 1963, and is most famous for Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech delivered to a crowd of over 250,000 people. The march was organized to advocate for civil and economic rights for African Americans, addressing issues such as racial inequality, job discrimination, and the need for significant legislative reform. The event is considered a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement, amplifying calls for justice and equality.