Civil rights strategist Bayard Rustin dies in New York at age 75.
At a Glance
- Date
- 24 August 1987
- Location
- New York, New York
- Key people
- Bayard Rustin
- Category
- Civil Rights Movement
- Source
- Biographical records · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
He had organized the March on Washington and brought nonviolence to the American movement.
What It Means Now
Long sidelined for being openly gay, Rustin is now honored as a master organizer.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Bayard Rustin Dies.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/bayard-rustin-dies/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Bayard Rustin Dies. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/bayard-rustin-dies/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Bayard Rustin Dies.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/bayard-rustin-dies/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.