Drive, Rosa, Drive: Historic Bus to Join Inaugural Parade

Bus also played a role in "Diner" movie

When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala., city bus in 1955, little did she know that some day, "her" bus would be part of another historic moment, the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Dedicated to the life and legacy of the civil rights activist, Metro's Rosa Parks bus will take its fourth ride in a presidential inaugural parade, alongside almost 1,400 organizations that have applied to participate in the parade.

The 1957 former Maryland Transit Administration GMC bus was donated to Metro in 1990 and restored for Metro’s 30th anniversary in 2003.  The transit agency dedicated the bus to the life and legacy of civil rights activist Rosa Parks in December 2005. 

The historic bus features a decal on the exterior that pictures Parks seated and an inscription that reads: “It All Started on a Bus; Rosa Parks; 1913-2005; The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.” Inside the bus, there is a silhouetted image of Parks on a window and a plaque.

The bus was also featured in the 1982 movie, "Diner," which was filmed in Baltimore.

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