The first impetus to the concert was given unintentionally by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Their refusal to let the singer perform at Constitution Hall sparked a nationwide controversy. In response to the discriminatory policy, Eleanor Roosevelt, America’s First Lady, leaves the DAR. A committee initiates the open-air concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Prominent figures, including Home Secretary Harold Ickes, support the plan, and President Roosevelt gives his approval.
Never before has there been an event of this size at this location. Millions of people are following the event on the radio. Marian Anderson begins her recital with « My Country, ‘This of Thee”. Through her interpretation, the patriotic hymn becomes unequivocally an appeal that freedom and the constitution have to apply to all Americans, regardless of skin color.

Marian Andersen (1897-1993) grows up in humble circumstances in Philadelphia. Her talent as a singer already shows as a girl in the church choir. After first successes, she continues her musical education in Europe. In the thirties, she performs in many of Europe’s renowned concert halls where she thrills the audience. Back in the USA, she becomes also here a star. Her broad repertoire includes aria and leader recitals as well as spirituals. A highlight of her career is in 1955 her appearance at the Metropolitan Opera. In the 1950s, she becomes an icon of the Civil Rights Movement. © ff December 2018

Exceptionally heavy snowfalls in January and February 1951 lead to disastrous catastrophes in several Alpine countries. The hardest struck is Austria where 135 people die as a result of countless avalanches. In Switzerland, disasters claim 96 victims, much to the detriment of the entire population. In Italy, fatal avalanche accidents kill 46 people.
In Switzerland, disasters caused by the forces of nature occur in two waves. Between the 19th and 21st of January, in the cantons of Grisons, Valais, Uri and Glarus, innumerable avalanches crash down on from the mountains. Swiss Newsreel covers the event in a special edition (Video 1). The devastating effects are worst in the village of Vals in the canton of Grisons. On the night of January 20, just before 10 pm, avalanches hit several houses. 19 people, including 8 children, die in the debris and snow. In Andermatt, canton of Uri, 13 people get killed.
On February 11th and 12th, 1951, Switzerland again suffers disastrous avalanches, this time in the southern canton of Ticino. In some valleys, over 4 meters of fresh snow have fallen within 10 days (Video 2). Avalanches bury the Gotthard Railway over long distances. Once again, the “the winter of avalanches” takes a heavy toll: 16 people are recovered dead, including 10 in the village of Airolo alone, where an avalanche destroys an entire quarter.
The avalanche disaster in the Alps gets worldwide attention in the media. The legendary US magazine Life publishes 8 pages on the event (p. 19-25). © ff December 2018