April 9 |

Marian Anderson

On April 9, 1939 Marian Anderson opened the doors for many African American artists against racial discrimination by singing at the Lincoln Memorial when she was prevented from singing to an integrated audience at Constitution Hall. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped with Anderson being able to sing instead at the Lincoln Memorial in front of over 75,000 people and with millions more listening on the radio.

Marian Anderson gave her date of birth throughout her life as February 17, 1902. Following her death it was reported that her actual birth may have been February 27, 1897. Although there may be some confusion on her actual date of birth, her status as one of the most gifted and talented contralto's of our times is without debate. Her beautiful and appealing voice commanded the attention of audiences in concert halls around the world for decades. Anderson died on April 8, 1993 in Portland, Oregon.

Marian Anderson Sings

In the National Archives and Records Administration 1944 video above - ARC Identifier 36207 / Local Identifier 111-SM-41 - Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the Chief Signal Officer. (09/18/1947 - 02/28/1964). Reel 2, the choir and Marian Anderson sing a Christmas program. DVD Copied by Master Scanner Thomas Gideon.

Words That Matter

Marian Anderson

“No matter how big a nation is, it is no stronger than its weakest people. And as long as you keep a person down, some part of him has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you might otherwise.”