April 9
Marian Anderson Performs at Lincoln Memorial
Summary
In the segregated United States of the 1930s, African American contralto Marian Anderson faced routine barriers despite her international acclaim as one of the era's greatest vocalists. When the Daughters of the American Revolution denied her request to sing at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., due to her race, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the organization in protest. Organizers arranged an alternative outdoor concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939. Anderson performed before an integrated crowd of approximately 75,000 people, opening with "My Country, 'Tis of Thee." The event drew national radio broadcast and newsreel coverage, highlighting ongoing racial discrimination.
Why It Matters
The concert amplified national awareness of Jim Crow segregation and inspired civil rights activism, including later Freedom Rides and marches at the same site. It demonstrated the power of public performance to challenge institutional racism and contributed to the momentum that led to desegregation efforts in public facilities and the arts.
Related Portfolio Site
Free Speech Atlas: Landmark event involving denial of performance venue and public concert on free expression and civil rights.
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Sources
- On This Day - What Happened on April 9, Britannica. Accessed 2026-07-09.