The same march, with President Obama leading about 40,000 people, holds 50 years after, at the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 2015 in Selma, Alabama.
Police beat and used tear gas on demonstrators as they made their way over the crossing, on a day that became known as "Bloody Sunday" in 1965.
The violence witnessed in Selma 50 years ago paved the way for equal voting rights.
President Obama said the marchers, who were campaigning for equal voting rights, had "given courage to millions".
"Because of what they did, the doors of opportunity swung open not just for African-Americans, but for every American," he said, standing in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge where the violence took place.
Selma reminded the American public that despite progress the fight against racism was not over.
He addressed the recent police killings of unarmed black men and teenagers, which had triggered protests in several US cities.
"This nation's long racial history still casts its long shadow upon us. We know the march is not yet over, the race is not yet won," he said.
Georgia congressman John Lewis, a Democrat who was among those injured in the violence 50 years ago, also addressed the crowd of more than 40,000.
He said: "I want to thank each and every one of you who marched across the bridge on Bloody Sunday. You didn't have to do but you did.
"Six hundred people marched into history. We were so peaceful, so quiet. No-one saying a word. "We were beaten, tear gassed, some of us were left bloody here on this bridge. But we never became bitter or hostile."
Ex President George W Bush also took part in the commemorations. - BBC
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