Born February 10, 1927, in Laurel, Mississippi in the United States) is an American operatic soprano. She is best known for the title role of Verdi's Aida. Born in the segregated Deep South, she rose to international fame during a period of racial change in the 1950s and 60s, and was the first African-American to become a leading prima donna at the Metropolitan Opera. -- courtesy, blackfacts.com & wikipedia
Also on this day,
In 1972, Gospel music legend Mahalia Jackson died, in Evergreen Park, Il. An African-American gospel singer with a powerful, distinct voice, Mahalia Jackson became one of the most influential gospel singers in the world and is the first Queen of Gospel Music. She recorded about 35 albums (mostly for Columbia Records) during her career, and her 45 rpm records included a dozen "golds"—million-sellers. She had a contralto voice range. -- -- courtesy, blackfacts.com & wikipedia
