A Reason for Optimism: Good News in History, January 18 | A Positive Story
A Reason for Optimism: Good News in History, January 18 | A Positive Story Why this story matters: Amid constant bad news, it’s important to highlight examples of progress that rarely make the front page. Quick summary: This story highlights recent developments related to on this day, showing how constructive action can lead to meaningful results. 83 years ago today, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City hosted its first-ever jazz concert . A star-studded lineup of performers was acquired from around the country to bring the once-discriminated musical genre to the highest echelons of American society, including Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Lionel Hampton, Jack Teagarden, Mildred Bailey, and Benny Goodman. Sponsored by the National Women’s Council of the Navy League of the United States, New York City papers described the musicians as performing like “sober monarchs,” who were “too sedate” and “perhaps… awed by the fact they were playing in the tradition-filled Met.” READ what else the papers said… (1944) Put on by Esquire Magazine, the “All-American …