March for Life: 5 interesting facts about the annual pro-life gathering

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Wednesday, January 17, 2024

The first March for Life

Nellie Gray is the founder of the annual March for Life. Gray died in August 2012 at age 88. | March for Life Education and Defense Fund

The inaugural March for Life took place in 1974 on the first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, being organized by the Knights of Columbus and Catholic attorney Nellie Gray, who emceed the event.

“I received a call from the Knights of Columbus,” Gray recalled in a 2010 interview. “I didn't even know who they were, but they explained their stance against abortion and needed a place to meet to discuss plans for a march. That place was my living room.”

The 1974 march brought approximately 20,000 attendees, which included members of Congress who vowed at the time to champion pro-life legislation.

While it was originally meant to be a standalone gathering, it was eventually turned into an annual observance, with other Christian denominations and organizations participating.