"Use those talents you have. You will make it. You will give joy to the world. Take this tip from nature: The woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except those who sang best." 
--Bernard Meltzer

On January 7,

In 1955,  Marian Anderson made her debut at Metropolitan Opera House as Alrica in Verdi's Masked Ball. She was the first Black singer in the company's history.