Marian Anderson was an African American singer, who became famous for fighting racial inequality when she gave a
concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. In April 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow Anderson to sing to an integrated audience at their Constitution Hall. With help from First Lady
Eleanor Roosevelt, the concert was moved to the
Lincoln Memorial. Anderson
stood on the steps and performed before 75,000 people gathered on the Mall. Millions more listened to her on the radio. Her concert pointed to the value of using the National Mall as a place to bring public attention to political and social issues.