Mayor Barry was a transformational figure for Washington D.C.
An activist, who evolved into a politician, Mayor Barry was always first and foremost a humanitarian who cared deeply about people. During his four decades of service, Washington D.C. was transformed into a thriving economic center, which empowered and brought new opportunities for prosperity to residents who had historically been overlooked.
1936 — 1967
Birth to Early Years as an Activist
Birth to Early Years as an Activist
Marion Barry’s story begins in 1936 in Itta Bena, Mississippi, where he is born into extreme poverty.
The young Marion works several jobs, including picking cotton, delivering and selling newspapers, and bagging groceries. Mayor Barry often said that his formative years, shaped by the political climate and oppressive racial tension, made him the man he was, determined to change the conditions of the forgotten poor.
The young Marion works several jobs, including picking cotton, delivering and selling newspapers, and bagging groceries. Mayor Barry often said that his formative years, shaped by the political climate and oppressive racial tension, made him the man he was, determined to change the conditions of the forgotten poor.
1936
Barry is born on March 6, 1936, in Itta Bena, Mississippi.
Barry is born on March 6, 1936, in Itta Bena, Mississippi.
Barry with his mother.
1960s
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) constitutes itself as a permanent organization and Barry, a Fisk University graduate student in chemistry, is elected as SNCC’s first chairman.
Mayor Barry’s Dedication to the Support of Civil Rights
Barry is an ardent civil rights activist and leader. Those with whom he advocates for a just and equal society include:
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) constitutes itself as a permanent organization and Barry, a Fisk University graduate student in chemistry, is elected as SNCC’s first chairman.
Mayor Barry’s Dedication to the Support of Civil Rights
Barry is an ardent civil rights activist and leader. Those with whom he advocates for a just and equal society include:
- Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Stokely Carmichael, who served in SNCC with Barry and stays a strong political ally.
- Reverend Jesse Jackson, Barry’s friend and political ally. Jesse Jackson’s campaign launch of his 1984 presidential bid is hosted by Barry at Washington D.C.’s Convention Center.
- Ivanhoe Donaldson, Barry’s friend, Campaign Manager, Top Assistant to the Mayor, and Political Strategist.
Barry as a young student with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Barry at a non-violence conference in Atlanta, Georgia under the direction of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
1965 — 1967
Barry moves to Washington D.C. and leads the local chapter of the DC Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Chapter, supports the “Free DC Movement,” and co-founds Pride Inc.
Barry moves to Washington D.C. and leads the local chapter of the DC Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Chapter, supports the “Free DC Movement,” and co-founds Pride Inc.
Barry delivers a speech with a young man in a Pride, Inc. hat next to him.
Picture of Barry at Free DC rally in August 1966 wearing a Free DC pin.
Picture of Pride, Inc. headquarters.
1971 — 2020
Life as a Politician
Life as a Politician
After years of civil rights advocacy, Barry starts his political career when he wins his first election as the president of the Washington D.C. School Board in 1972.
Six years later, Barry rises to national prominence when he is elected the second Mayor of Washington D.C. Over his four decades in office, he shapes what was a sleepy southern town into a vibrant and thriving economic hub. Barry opens the doors to opportunity and prosperity for those who had been shut out of the American dream, bringing pride to Washington D.C. and its residents.
Six years later, Barry rises to national prominence when he is elected the second Mayor of Washington D.C. Over his four decades in office, he shapes what was a sleepy southern town into a vibrant and thriving economic hub. Barry opens the doors to opportunity and prosperity for those who had been shut out of the American dream, bringing pride to Washington D.C. and its residents.
1971
Barry is elected president of Washington D.C.’s School Board.
Barry is elected president of Washington D.C.’s School Board.
Walter Fauntroy, Barry, and Barry's wife, Mary Treadwell, celebrate Barry's first campaign victory after he is elected to the Washington D.C. school board in 1971.
1973
The Home Rule Act becomes Federal law, providing for an elected Mayor and Council in the District of Columbia.
The Home Rule Act becomes Federal law, providing for an elected Mayor and Council in the District of Columbia.
1975
Barry is elected as Member At-Large of Washington D.C.’s first City Council.
Barry’s Councilmember Achievements
Barry is elected as Member At-Large of Washington D.C.’s first City Council.
Barry’s Councilmember Achievements
- Barry serves as Chair of the powerful Finance Committee.
- Barry co-sponsors legislation that vastly expands the Office on Aging staff and budget.
1977
The Hanafi Movement gunmen lays siege on the District Building. Barry, a Councilmember at the time, walks into the hallway after hearing a commotion and is hit by a ricocheted shotgun pellet. He is rushed to the hospital. Maurice Williams, a 24-year-old radio reporter from WHUR-FM, steps off the elevator into the crisis and is killed.
The Hanafi Movement gunmen lays siege on the District Building. Barry, a Councilmember at the time, walks into the hallway after hearing a commotion and is hit by a ricocheted shotgun pellet. He is rushed to the hospital. Maurice Williams, a 24-year-old radio reporter from WHUR-FM, steps off the elevator into the crisis and is killed.
Barry recovers in the hospital from his injury
1979
Mayor Barry is sworn in for his first term as Mayor of Washington D.C. in 1979 after winning the election in November 1978.
Mayor Barry’s First Term Achievements
Mayor Barry is sworn in for his first term as Mayor of Washington D.C. in 1979 after winning the election in November 1978.
Mayor Barry’s First Term Achievements
- Becomes one of the first Black mayors to launch economic development initiatives that build and empower a Black middle class.
- Creates the Minority Business Opportunity Commission.
- Hechinger Mall opens in 1981.
- Builds Washington D.C.’s original Convention Center, which opened on December 10, 1982.
- Launches the Summer Youth Employment Program and the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute.
- Fights for completion of the Metro Green Line to Connect Ward 8.
- Establishes the DC Lottery in 1982.
- Begins construction on the Washington Harbour Project.
Justice Thurgood Marshall swears Barry into office as Mayor of Washington D.C., alongside his wife, Effi Barry.
1983
Mayor Barry is sworn in for his second term as Mayor in 1983 after winning reelection in November 1982.
Mayor Barry’s Second Term Achievements
Mayor Barry is sworn in for his second term as Mayor in 1983 after winning reelection in November 1982.
Mayor Barry’s Second Term Achievements
- Introduces Washington D.C. into Wall Street’s Bond Market.
- Brings Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Cablevision to Washington D.C.
- Begins construction on Friendship Archway in Chinatown in June 1986. The Archway was dedicated in November 1986.
- Holds the dedication of the Frank D. Reeves Municipal Center, September 27, 1986. It becomes the centerpiece for revitalizing of the U Street Corridor.
Rendering of the Chinatown Friendship Arch.
1987
Mayor Barry is sworn in for his third term as Mayor in 1987 after winning reelection in November 1986.
Third Term Achievement
Mayor Barry is sworn in for his third term as Mayor in 1987 after winning reelection in November 1986.
Third Term Achievement
- Completes the Washington Harbour Project on the Georgetown Waterfront.
1990
Mayor Marion Barry is arrested on January 18, 1990, and later sentenced to six months in federal prison in September 1991 for a misdemeanor charge of simple possession.
Mayor Marion Barry is arrested on January 18, 1990, and later sentenced to six months in federal prison in September 1991 for a misdemeanor charge of simple possession.
1992
Mayor Barry is released from prison in April and subsequently runs for the Ward 8 council seat. He wins the Democratic Primary Election with 71% of the vote and goes on to win the general election with 90% of the vote, officially marking the beginning of his political comeback.
Mayor Barry is released from prison in April and subsequently runs for the Ward 8 council seat. He wins the Democratic Primary Election with 71% of the vote and goes on to win the general election with 90% of the vote, officially marking the beginning of his political comeback.
1993
Mayor Barry is sworn in as Councilmember for Ward 8 in January 1993 — a historic, inspired, and unduplicated return to political life.
Mayor Barry is sworn in as Councilmember for Ward 8 in January 1993 — a historic, inspired, and unduplicated return to political life.
Mayor Barry speaks after being elected Councilmember for Ward 8.
1994
Mayor Barry wins reelection for his fourth term as Mayor, completing his unprecedented political comeback.
Mayor Barry wins reelection for his fourth term as Mayor, completing his unprecedented political comeback.
1995
Mayor Barry is sworn into office for his fourth term as Mayor on January 2, 1995. Fourth Term Achievements
Mayor Barry is sworn into office for his fourth term as Mayor on January 2, 1995. Fourth Term Achievements
- In March 1995, the US Congress establishes the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility Commission (Control Board) to assist Washington D.C. in restructuring its finances to overcome its huge deficit. Mayor Barry works with the Control Board to ensure that the District receives the assistance it needs from the Federal Government to recover from the financial challenges. The Control Board suspends its activities on September 30, 2001, upon achieving its fourth consecutive balanced budget.
- Mayor Barry and Abe Pollin break ground for the MCI Arena.
- The Million Man March is held on October 16, 1995, on the National Mall.
Mayor Barry with Abe Pollin for the groundbreaking for the MCI Arena.
Mayor Barry is sworn in for his fourth term as Mayor with his wife Cora Masters Barry beside him.
1997
In October 1997, Congress adopts the National Capital Revitalization Act which provides financial resources to balance Washington D.C.’s budget and creates a number of organizational structures designed to improve the operations of the District. Mayor Barry is a leading proponent in working with the Control Board to put the District on a sound financial footing.
The MCI Arena opens on December 2, 1997.
In October 1997, Congress adopts the National Capital Revitalization Act which provides financial resources to balance Washington D.C.’s budget and creates a number of organizational structures designed to improve the operations of the District. Mayor Barry is a leading proponent in working with the Control Board to put the District on a sound financial footing.
The MCI Arena opens on December 2, 1997.
1998
Mayor Barry declines to run for a fifth term in office due to his belief that Congress would not restore home rule to the District while he was mayor.
Mayor Barry declines to run for a fifth term in office due to his belief that Congress would not restore home rule to the District while he was mayor.
2001
The Southeast Tennis and Learning Center opens.
The Control Board suspends its activities on September 30, 2001, upon achieving its fourth consecutive balanced budget.
The Southeast Tennis and Learning Center opens.
The Control Board suspends its activities on September 30, 2001, upon achieving its fourth consecutive balanced budget.
2005
Mayor Marion Barry is sworn in as Ward 8 Councilmember and serves from 2005 until 2014.
Mayor Marion Barry is sworn in as Ward 8 Councilmember and serves from 2005 until 2014.
2014
Mayor Barry's autobiography “Mayor for Life” is published in June 2014.
Mayor Marion Barry Jr. passes away at the age of 78 on November 23, 2014.
Mayor Barry's autobiography “Mayor for Life” is published in June 2014.
Mayor Marion Barry Jr. passes away at the age of 78 on November 23, 2014.
Mayor Barry publishes his autobiography “Mayor for Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr.”
2018
The Barry Statue at the John A. Wilson Building is unveiled on March 3, 2018.
The Barry Statue at the John A. Wilson Building is unveiled on March 3, 2018.
Mayor Barry's bronze statue located at the John A. Wilson Building.
2020
The Mayor Marion S. Barry Jr. Building, formerly the One Judiciary Square building located at 441 4th Street NW, is dedicated to Mayor Barry on November 12, 2020.
The Mayor Marion S. Barry Jr. Building, formerly the One Judiciary Square building located at 441 4th Street NW, is dedicated to Mayor Barry on November 12, 2020.
Mayor Barry's legacy continues.