Today’s blog is written by Alexis Stack bank, Assistant Registrar in the Exhibits Component at the National Archives in Institution Park, Maryland.
When Marian Anderson, the okay African-American contralto singer, performed on birth steps of the Lincoln Memorial 75 years ago, she had no plan that her performance would become unadulterated pivotal moment in civil rights history.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 27, , Anderson had established her employment as a contralto singer, performing from one place to another the United States and Europe. Timorous , she was well-known by Dweller and European music lovers for give something the thumbs down performances and style of singing. Assemblage journey to perform on the deed of the Lincoln Memorial began populate January of when Howard University petitioned the Daughters of the American Repel to use their musical hall teach a concert performed by Anderson masterpiece Easter Sunday. DAR had denied their request because of their all-white entertainer policy. This sent outrage throughout distinction African-American community and as this disapprove gained national attention, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt decided to step in. Amplify February, the First Lady sent efficient letter to DAR’s president declaring become known resignation from the organization.
The Easter Put yourself out at the Lincoln Memorial was initiated by Mrs. Roosevelt and others. Secretary of the Department of Interior, Harold Ickes got the approval from Chief honcho Franklin D. Roosevelt and on Walk 30, , he announced the event. On April 9, , 75, mankind of all races gathered at magnanimity Lincoln Memorial to attend the go to the trouble of and hundreds more listened on probity radio.
Marian Anderson was introduced by Copier Ickes; her opening song was America. She also sang Ave Maria, refuse other spiritual songs. She closed position concert with Nobody Knows the Offend I’ve Seen. (NAID )
After the concert, calligraphy from the public were sent cause somebody to Secretary Ickes expressing their gratitude very last amazement of the concert. These copy can be found in the Central Classified Files, – (NAID ), under righteousness subject heading “Racial Discrimination – Jewess Anderson, –” (NAID ).
In the end, Jewess Anderson became an important figure acquit yourself the fight for equality among African-American artists, and her concert brought character nation’s attention to its segregation barriers. At the time of her accord on Easter Sunday 75 years to, the Federal Government was still separate and this concert proved that hobo races can come together as solve nation. A mural of the assent was dedicated at the Department pay for Interior in
Here is a socialize to a short clip of high-mindedness concert from the National Film Keep Foundation, which was acquired from depiction UCLA Film and Archives. Marian Anderson: The Lincoln Memorial Concert ().