Postal Bulletin 22144 - December 23, 2004 - USPS.com

POSTAL BULLETIN 22144 (12-23-04)
23
Community Relations Publicity Kit
Black History Month/Marian Anderson
Thurgood Marshall (January 7,
2003)
Marshall is one of the best-known
lawyers in the history of civil rights
in America. In 1954 Marshall and
his legal team prevailed in the landmark
Supreme Court case, “Brown
v. Board of Education of Topeka,
Kansas,” that struck down segregation
in public schools. He was the
first African American to serve as a
U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Marian Anderson (January 27,
2005)
Marian Anderson is known as one
of the nation’s greatest classically
trained singers of the 20 th century
and is an important figure in the
struggle of Black Americans for
racial equality.
Langston Hughes (February 1,
2002)
Hughes is acclaimed for his vivid
portrayals of Black America from
the Harlem Renaissance to the
Civil Rights era. A noted poet, novelist,
and playwright, he is regarded
as one of the most important
writers of the 20 th century.
Paul Robeson (January 20, 2004)
Robeson is remembered not only
for his extraordinary talents as an
actor, singer, and athlete but also
for his tireless and uncompromising
commitment to civil rights and
social justice. In addition to his famous
repertoire of spirituals,
Robeson became well known for
performing and interpreting folk
songs from around the world.
Speech Segment and Talking Points
Use talking points for speeches at local ceremonies
and events to support Black History Month/Marian
Anderson stamp.
[Recognize participants from other organizations.]
America’s greatest strength is the diversity of its people.
February is Black History Month, and this is the perfect time
to stop and reflect upon the rich cultural legacy African
Americans have contributed to our nation.
In reality, every month is a celebration of the many African
Americans who were instrumental in shaping America’s
history, arts, music, and literature. That is why the
Postal Service is so proud to help celebrate Black History
Month with the release of the newest stamp in our Black
Heritage series.
This year, the 28th year in this historic series, we are issuing
the Marian Anderson commemorative stamp. Anderson
joins 27 other honorees as a part of this series saluting
outstanding African-American activists, theorists, writers,
educators, and leaders.
Marian Anderson is remembered as one of the nation’s
greatest classically trained singers of the 20 th century, and
she is also an important figure in the struggle of African
Americans for racial equality. She was the first black singer
to appear on the stage of New York’s Metropolitan Opera.
She later published a successful autobiography, “My Lord,
What a Morning.” Anderson performed at an inaugural ceremony
for President Eisenhower’s second term and for the
inauguration of President Kennedy.
It is significant the First-Day-of-Issue ceremony for the
Marian Anderson stamp was held at Washington, DC’s
Constitution Hall. In 1939, the Daughters of the American
Revolution sparked national protests when they refused to
allow Anderson to sing at Constitution Hall. In response,
the United States Department of the Interior, with the encouragement
of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, arranged a
concert at the Lincoln Memorial. An estimated 75,000
people attended, and millions more heard it on the radio.
The episode caused the media to look more closely at
cases of discrimination involving Anderson and other
African-American performers. Anderson finally sang at
Constitution Hall before a capacity crowd in 1953.