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June 9

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June 9, 1900

James Weldon Johnson Writes Lift Every Voice

On February 12, 1900, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was first performed by 500 schoolchildren in Jacksonville, Florida, to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Written by James Weldon Johnson with music by J. Rosamond Johnson, it became known as the "Black National Anthem."

artsmusiccivil-rights
People: James Weldon Johnson, J. Rosamond Johnson
Sources
1. Lift Every Voice and Sing - Library of Congress2. Lift Every Voice and Sing - Smithsonian Institution

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