From all over Derry, they gathered at Creggan in the Bogside yesterday, just as they had done 26 years ago. There were crowds from Belfast, Dublin, and Galway too. The music from the bands drifted down the long, hilly streets to the shores of the Foyle.
Tens of thousands of people took part in the march to commemorate Bloody Sunday. When you looked back from any given point, there were thousands of people in front and behind, as far as the eye could see.
"It's wonderful, just wonderful, to see so many people here," said John Kelly. "The inquiry announced by the British government has given us all hope. This is the first year that everyone on the march is smiling."
Mr Kelly's brother Michael (17) had set off to the anti-internment demonstration in 1972 in his new blue suit, laughing with friends. He didn't come home. His mother Kathleen had been saving to buy him a car. She bought him a headstone instead.
Mrs Kelly (74) never went to the commemoration but yesterday she was there, watching from a car. "It broke my heart losing my son," she said. "This new inquiry is the answer to my prayers."
The families of the dead led the march, carrying 14 simple white crosses. Other relatives walked behind with photographs of their loved ones. Black flags flew from many houses.
Just as with the original march, there was a carnival atmosphere. Trailers sold burgers. Couples walked hand-in-hand. Children showed off on their bicycles. A journalist even brought his dog.
A myriad of smaller political groups, including the Irish Republican Socialist Party, Socialist Democracy, the Socialist Workers, and the anarchists handed out literature to the crowds. Republican Sinn Fein had three different leaflets.
It took more than 1 1/2 hours for the marchers to make their way to Free Derry Corner where they were addressed by a range of speakers, including ones from Sinn Fein and the SDLP.
The politicians demanded that the new inquiry be comprehensive and independent. The people agreed. On a wall nearby the graffito read: "Bloody Sunday 1972-98 - The Truth Must Be Told."