Federal Triangle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Marion Barry, Jr.
(1936 - 2014)
— "Mayor for Life" —
His fervor for justice, fairness, and equality led him to become a champion of the people.
Marion Barry, Jr., held elected office in the District of Columbia for 35 years. He was elected President of the District of Columbia School Board in 1972. He was elected the second Mayor of Washington, DC, from 1979 to 1991, and served again as the fourth Mayor from 1995 to 1999. He also served on the Council of the District of Columbia, beginning as an at-large member of the first elected City Council from 1975 to 1979 and later serving the residents of Ward 8 from 1993 to 1995, and again from 2005 until his death on November 23, 2014.
"Most people don't know me…they don't know about all of the fighting I've done to manage a government that was progressive and more oriented to uplift the people rather than to suppress them. That's what I want my legacy to be. I was a freedom fighter, and a fighter for the economic livelihood of not only black people but all people."
Marion Barry, Jr.
Excerpts from his autobiography Mayor for Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr.
Erected 2018 by Executive Office of the Mayor in partnership with the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Marion Barry Commission
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is November 23, 2014.
Location. 38° 53.725′ N, 77° 1.848′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Federal Triangle. Marker is at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest and 13-1/2 Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest. On the grounds of the John A. Wilson Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20229, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The John A. Wilson Building (a few steps from this marker); Western Plaza, Pennsylvania Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington, DC: Capital and City (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Seal of the United States (within shouting distance of this marker); Alexander Robey Shepherd (within shouting distance of this marker); Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Washington Post (about 300 feet away); Daniel Patrick Moynihan Place (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Also see . . .
1. Statue honoring former Mayor Marion Barry revealed in D.C. (Submitted on March 5, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
2. Marion Barry honored with bronze statue on Pennsylvania Avenue. (Submitted on March 5, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 5, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
