Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing talk about the Black American National Anthem. In 1899, James Weldon Johnson wrote it as a poem. In 1905, John Rosamond Johnson wrote the set of music. He was the brother of James Weldon. The first performance of the poem was at a segregated Stanton School in Jacksonville, Florida on 12th February 1900. It was during the celebration of Lincoln’s birthday that 500 children in that school read the poem. Let us get other interesting facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing below:
Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing 1: the music
The music was incorporated to the poem in 1905 by the John, the brother of Johnson.
Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing
Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing 2: the Negro National Anthem
The song was called the Negro National Anthem by the NAACP, which stands for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1919.
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Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing 3: the importance of the song
Lift Every Voice and Sing plays an importance role in the struggle of African-American people in United States. It represented their voice toward affirmation, liberation, and freedom.
Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing 4: New York World’s Fair
New York World’s Fair gave a commission for Augusta Savage in 1939. Then plaster sculpture with the height of 16 feet was created by Augusta Savage. It was named Lift Every Voice and Sing. However, the bulldozers demolished it.
Melba Moore
Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing 5: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the title of the autobiography of Maya Angelou published in 1969. During her eighth grade graduation, the students and spectators sang the song. The song was sung because educational aspiration of Maya’s class was dashed by the white school official.
Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing 6: the modern version
The modern version of the song was released by Melba Moore in 1990.
J. Rosamond Johnson
Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing 7: the record
Melba Moore collaborated with other R&B artistic such as Jeffrey Osborne, Dionne Warwick, and Stephanie Mills.
Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing 8: Rene Marie
During a civic event in Denver, Colorado, the national anthem was performed by Rene Marie in 2008.
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Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing 9: the controversy
The words of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” were substituted into the song by the jazz singer, Rene Marie. It sparked controversy.
James Weldon Johnson
Facts about Lift Every Voice and Sing 10: the National Museum of African American History and Culture
During the opening ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the song was sung by Denyce Graves.
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