March: Book Three, a graphic novel account of Congressman John Lewis and the Civil Rights Movement, became the first graphic novel to win the National Book Award.

“This is unbelievable,” said Congressman Lewis, who then recalled a visit to a rural Alabama public library, where “we were told that the library was for whites only and not for coloreds. Now, to come here and receive this award, with these two… it’s too much.”

Artist Nate Powell dedicated the award to his children “and their generation that will inherit this earth,” and also to president elect Donald Trump, adding that he hopes it will change Trump’s heart.

“There are two important lessons from this,” concluded Andrew Aydin, co-author of March, “One is that the story of the Movement must be told. We all must know it, if we are to understand the politics of today. And two: let the prejudice against comic books be buried once and for all.”

For your viewing pleasure, here is a recording of the event, still available on ustream.tv: