Marian Anderson: The Lincoln Memorial Concert

This event documents the historic concert given by acclaimed contralto Marian Anderson at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939. Barred from performing at Constitution Hall due to her race, Anderson was offered the Lincoln Memorial by Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes, transforming it into an impromptu amphitheater. The concert became a powerful statement against racial segregation and a landmark moment in American civil rights history, drawing an integrated crowd of 75,000 people.

While specific contemporary 'reviews' in the modern sense are scarce for the live event itself, the concert was immediately recognized as a profoundly significant cultural and political moment. Media coverage and public reaction hailed it as a triumph for Anderson and a powerful symbol of artistic freedom and racial equality. Its historical impact and the artistry displayed by Anderson have been consistently lauded by historians and critics over the decades.

• A pivotal moment in American civil rights history.

• A powerful display of artistic talent overcoming racial prejudice.

• Symbolized hope and the fight for equality through music.

Google audience: As this was a live broadcast and a historical event rather than a film with typical audience reviews, there are no specific Google user ratings or summaries available for this concert recording.

None notable (as it was a live concert, not a film for award consideration, though its historical significance is immense).

The concert was originally planned for Constitution Hall, but the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), which owned the hall, refused to allow Anderson to perform there because of her race, sparking national outrage and leading to the Lincoln Memorial performance.