Famed soprano Leontyne Price makes her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, performing the role of Leonora in Verdi’s Il Trovatore. Price would become the first African-American to open a concert season there.

Also, on this day in 1961, world-renowned gospel singer and civil rights activist Mahalia Jackson dies at age 60. Jackson was hailed as the “Queen of Gospel” and recorded some 40 albums throughout her career.

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