1 00:00:00,734 --> 00:00:01,935 (audience applauding) 2 00:00:01,935 --> 00:00:03,136 - She was the first African American 3 00:00:03,136 --> 00:00:05,372 to make her debut at the Metropolitan Opera. 4 00:00:05,372 --> 00:00:09,275 - She was pursued by nobility and aristocracy. 5 00:00:09,275 --> 00:00:13,179 She enjoyed the life of a diva. 6 00:00:13,179 --> 00:00:16,649 (Marian Anderson singing "Ave Maria") 7 00:00:16,649 --> 00:00:18,551 - Marian Anderson was the first 8 00:00:18,551 --> 00:00:22,188 African American artist to be signed by RCA Victor. 9 00:00:22,188 --> 00:00:23,890 - She was performing in Europe for 10 00:00:23,890 --> 00:00:25,158 Kings and Queens, 11 00:00:25,158 --> 00:00:27,594 and she would come back home to her own country 12 00:00:27,594 --> 00:00:30,196 and have to sit at the back of the train. 13 00:00:30,196 --> 00:00:33,233 - In response, she stood flat-footed 14 00:00:33,233 --> 00:00:34,501 and she sang. 15 00:00:36,136 --> 00:00:39,372 - Easter Sunday, April 9th, 1939. 16 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:43,943 - [Marian Anderson] There was a multitude such in your 17 00:00:43,943 --> 00:00:45,578 wildest imagination. 18 00:00:46,780 --> 00:00:48,548 - Even though we may not be able to articulate 19 00:00:48,548 --> 00:00:50,383 why that person's voice moves us so much 20 00:00:50,383 --> 00:00:53,386 because it's speaking to so many different parts 21 00:00:53,386 --> 00:00:54,354 of who we are. 22 00:00:54,354 --> 00:00:55,622 That's what her voice had, 23 00:00:55,622 --> 00:00:58,858 this incredible power in it to stop a nation. 24 00:00:58,858 --> 00:01:00,960 (crowd applauding)