Marian Anderson's Performance
Item
Title
Marian Anderson's Performance
Description
On Easter Sunday, 1939, celebrated African American opera singer Marian Anderson gave a free concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. She had been denied the opportunity to sing at the Daughters of the American Revolution concert hall because of her race. The first song she performed at the concert was "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)," but she changed the words from "of thee I sing" to "to thee we sing," making it an inclusive expression of patriotism.
Creator
Marian Anderson
Source
National Archives at College Park. Listen to original.
Date
04/09/1939
Coverage
1920-1949
topic
civil rights
politics & protest
work & play
