{"id":24959,"date":"2024-02-14T15:13:14","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T15:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/14\/harlem-renaissance-pioneer-pieces-of-history\/"},"modified":"2024-02-14T15:13:14","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T15:13:14","slug":"harlem-renaissance-pioneer-pieces-of-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/14\/harlem-renaissance-pioneer-pieces-of-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Harlem Renaissance Pioneer \u2013 Pieces of History"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><em>February is Black History Month. Visit the\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.archives.gov\/news\/topics\/african-american-history\"><em>National Archives website<\/em><\/a><em>\u00a0for more information on our resources related to African American history. Today\u2019s post, from Alyssa Moore in the National Archives History Office<\/em>,<em> looks at the legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong. <\/em><\/p>\n<figure data-carousel-extra=\"{\" blog_id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"868\" data-attachment-id=\"36372\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/still-pictures-id-306-psa-65-3065\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?fit=2021%2C2560&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2021,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;U.S. National Archives and Recor&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;75&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;still pictures id 306-psa-65-3065&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;still pictures id 306-psa-65-3065&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"still pictures id 306-psa-65-3065\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Louis Armstrong, 1941. (Records of the United States Information Agency, National Archives)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?fit=237%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?fit=685%2C868&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36372\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36372 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=808%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 808w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=237%2C300&amp;ssl=1 237w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C973&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=1212%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1212w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=1616%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1616w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=685%2C868&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C2534&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?w=2021&amp;ssl=1 2021w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?w=1370 1370w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-808x1024.jpg?resize=685%2C868&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"868\" data-attachment-id=\"36372\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/still-pictures-id-306-psa-65-3065\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?fit=2021%2C2560&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2021,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;U.S. National Archives and Recor&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;75&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;still pictures id 306-psa-65-3065&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;still pictures id 306-psa-65-3065&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"still pictures id 306-psa-65-3065\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Louis Armstrong, 1941. (Records of the United States Information Agency, National Archives)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?fit=237%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?fit=685%2C868&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36372\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-808x1024.jpg?resize=685%2C868&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=808%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 808w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=237%2C300&amp;ssl=1 237w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C973&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=1212%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1212w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=1616%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1616w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=685%2C868&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C2534&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?w=2021&amp;ssl=1 2021w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/Louis-Armstrong-306-psa-65-3065-scaled.jpg?w=1370 1370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Louis Armstrong, 1941. (Records of the United States Information Agency, National Archives)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901 (although he often claimed he was born on July 4, 1900), into a world immersed in the jazz of New Orleans\u2019 saloons, social halls, and dance clubs. Raised largely by a single mother, Mary \u201cMayann\u201d Albert, Armstrong and his younger sister spent their childhood in the \u201cBack o\u2019 Town\u201d neighborhood, sometimes nicknamed \u201cThe Battlefield.\u201d He left school after fifth grade to work for the local Karnofsky family at their tailor shop. The family encouraged him to pursue his interest in music, and Armstrong used his wages to purchase his first cornet.<\/p>\n<p>Armstrong\u2019s life changed on New Year\u2019s Eve in 1912 when he was arrested for borrowing his stepfather\u2019s gun without permission and firing a blank into the air. He was sent to the \u201cColored Waif\u2019s Home for Boys,\u201d a segregated reform school in New Orleans. Conditions at the Home were dire, and the head of its music program, Peter Davis, took Armstrong under his wing. Davis taught him how to properly play the cornet, and Armstrong later led the Waif\u2019s Home Brass Band.<\/p>\n<p>Armstrong was released from the home after a year and a half. Now 14 years old, he decided to pursue music professionally. Armstrong began playing in brass bands on Mississippi riverboats. There he picked up valuable skills, such as learning how to sight-read music, while playing alongside other musicians. Armstrong\u2019s talent caught the attention of New Orleans\u2019 top cornetist, Joe \u201cKing\u201d Oliver. Under Oliver\u2019s mentorship, Armstrong became one of the premier musicians in New Orleans.<\/p>\n<figure data-carousel-extra=\"{\" blog_id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"530\" height=\"663\" data-attachment-id=\"36370\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/5001dc_001_a\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?fit=530%2C663&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"530,663\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"5001dc_001_a\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Louis Armstrong\u2019s World War I draft registration card in which he listed his New Orleans address, his mother\u2019s name, and his Present Occupation as \u201cMusician\u201d, 09\/12\/1918. (National Archives Identifier 596218)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?fit=240%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?fit=530%2C663&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36370\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36370 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?w=530&amp;ssl=1 530w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?resize=240%2C300&amp;ssl=1 240w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?resize=530%2C663&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"530\" height=\"663\" data-attachment-id=\"36370\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/5001dc_001_a\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?fit=530%2C663&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"530,663\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"5001dc_001_a\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Louis Armstrong\u2019s World War I draft registration card in which he listed his New Orleans address, his mother\u2019s name, and his Present Occupation as \u201cMusician\u201d, 09\/12\/1918. (National Archives Identifier 596218)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?fit=240%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?fit=530%2C663&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36370\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?resize=530%2C663&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?w=530&amp;ssl=1 530w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/5001dc_001_a.jpg?resize=240%2C300&amp;ssl=1 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Louis Armstrong\u2019s World War I draft registration card in which he listed his New Orleans address, his mother\u2019s name, and his present occupation as \u201cMusician,\u201d 9\/12\/1918. (<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.archives.gov\/id\/596218\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Archives Identifier 596218<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>In 1922, Oliver invited Armstrong to join his Creole Jazz Band in Chicago. At the time, the United States was in the full swing of the Harlem Renaissance, and the city of Chicago was booming. Armstrong\u2019s reputation skyrocketed as he and the band started making records there in 1923. He married the band\u2019s pianist, Lillian Hardin, in 1924. Hardin recognized Armstrong\u2019s talent and urged him to launch a solo career as a trumpet and cornet player. In 1925, Armstrong took her advice and began making records under his own name.<\/p>\n<p>He assembled Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five, which became, in 1927, His Hot Seven. In one year alone the group produced a staggering 26 records. Among these were the hits \u201cCornet Chop Suey,\u201d \u201cStruttin\u2019 With Some Barbecue,\u201d \u201cHotter Than That,\u201d and \u201cPotato Head Blues.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>During this era, Armstrong developed his own personal style of playing that featured improvised solos and scat vocals. While he was not the first to record scat singing, Armstrong popularized it with the first recording on which he scatted, his 1926 hit \u201cHeebie Jeebies.\u201d By then Armstrong was in his early 20s, but he was becoming a phenomenon. As the 1920s came to a close, he began touring and, arguably, never stopped until his death in 1971.<\/p>\n<figure data-carousel-extra=\"{\" blog_id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"877\" data-attachment-id=\"36369\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/field-laboratory\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?fit=2001%2C2560&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2001,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;U.S. National Archives and Recor&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Record Group 306\\rRecords of the U.S. Information Agency, 1900-2003\\rStill Pictures Identifier:&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Copyright (C) reserved&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Field Laboratory&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Field Laboratory\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Poster in Arabic advertising Armstrong\u2019s performance in Beirut at the UNESCO Theater. Armstrong\u2019s tour of the Middle East was sponsored by the State Department as a cultural diplomacy initiative to counter Soviet Union influence, 03\/24\/1959. (National Archives Identifier 6948729)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?fit=234%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?fit=685%2C877&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36369\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36369 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=234%2C300&amp;ssl=1 234w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C983&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=1601%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1601w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=685%2C877&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C2559&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?w=2001&amp;ssl=1 2001w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?w=1370 1370w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-800x1024.jpg?resize=685%2C877&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"877\" data-attachment-id=\"36369\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/field-laboratory\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?fit=2001%2C2560&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2001,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;U.S. National Archives and Recor&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Record Group 306\\rRecords of the U.S. Information Agency, 1900-2003\\rStill Pictures Identifier:&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Copyright (C) reserved&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Field Laboratory&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Field Laboratory\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Poster in Arabic advertising Armstrong\u2019s performance in Beirut at the UNESCO Theater. Armstrong\u2019s tour of the Middle East was sponsored by the State Department as a cultural diplomacy initiative to counter Soviet Union influence, 03\/24\/1959. (National Archives Identifier 6948729)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?fit=234%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?fit=685%2C877&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36369\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-800x1024.jpg?resize=685%2C877&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=234%2C300&amp;ssl=1 234w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C983&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=1601%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1601w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=685%2C877&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C2559&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?w=2001&amp;ssl=1 2001w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-ppb-2-2011-001-pr-scaled.jpg?w=1370 1370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poster in Arabic advertising Armstrong\u2019s performance in Beirut at the UNESCO Theater. Armstrong\u2019s tour of the Middle East was sponsored by the State Department as a cultural diplomacy initiative to counter Soviet Union influence, 03\/24\/1959. (<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.archives.gov\/id\/6948729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Archives Identifier 6948729<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Throughout the 1930s, Armstrong reached audiences around the world. As he toured, he continued to gain popularity on the radio and appeared in several films. He performed in Europe for the first time in 1932 and again in 1933. Returning to the U.S. in 1935, Armstrong began touring the United States with a 16-piece big band ensemble. By 1947, though, big bands started to go out of style. Armstrong then started a small group named Louis Armstrong and His All Stars.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>By the 1950s, Armstrong was a beloved American icon with an international fanbase. The Department of State sought to capitalize on Armstrong as a cultural ambassador and scheduled him to tour part of the Communist Bloc in 1965 as an unofficial goodwill ambassador with the intention of countering Communist propaganda. He was dubbed \u201cAmbassador Satch,\u201d after his nickname \u201cSatchmo.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure data-carousel-extra=\"{\" blog_id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-par-1-05.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"1034\" data-attachment-id=\"36371\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/still-picture-identifier-306-par-1-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-par-1-05.jpg?fit=9544%2C14407&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"9544,14407\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;U.S. National Archives and Recor&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;still picture identifier; 306-par-1-5&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;still picture identifier; 306-par-1-5&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"306-par-1-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Poster in Arabic advertising Armstrong\u2019s Middle East tour, featuring (clockwise, starting in top left) Dizzie Gillespie, Mahalia Jackson, Count Bassie, and other jazz musicians. (National Archives Catalog 88693213)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-par-1-05.jpg?fit=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-par-1-05.jpg?fit=678%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36371\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36371 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-par-1-05.jpg?resize=685%2C1034&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"1034\" data-attachment-id=\"36371\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/still-picture-identifier-306-par-1-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-par-1-05.jpg?fit=9544%2C14407&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"9544,14407\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;U.S. National Archives and Recor&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;still picture identifier; 306-par-1-5&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;still picture identifier; 306-par-1-5&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"306-par-1-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Poster in Arabic advertising Armstrong\u2019s Middle East tour, featuring (clockwise, starting in top left) Dizzie Gillespie, Mahalia Jackson, Count Bassie, and other jazz musicians. (National Archives Catalog 88693213)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-par-1-05.jpg?fit=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-par-1-05.jpg?fit=678%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36371\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/306-par-1-05.jpg?resize=685%2C1034&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36371\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poster in Arabic advertising Armstrong\u2019s Middle East tour, featuring (clockwise, starting in top left) Dizzie Gillespie, Mahalia Jackson, Count Bassie, and other jazz musicians. (<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.archives.gov\/id\/88693213\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Archives Catalog 88693213<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Years of intense touring finally took its toll on Armstrong. Playing the trumpet is notoriously hard on the performer\u2019s lips, and Armstrong suffered from lip damage for most of his life. During one of his European tours, Armstrong developed an ulceration so severe that he was forced to stop performing for a year. Eventually he began using salves and creams and also cutting off scar tissue with a razor blade.<\/p>\n<p>Armstrong then suffered from his first heart attack in 1959. Despite his declining health, in 1964, Armstrong recorded his biggest-selling record, \u201cHello, Dolly!\u201d It knocked The Beatles off the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making Armstrong the oldest artist to have a number one song.<\/p>\n<figure data-carousel-extra=\"{\" blog_id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"468\" data-attachment-id=\"36373\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/armstrong-louis-house_05-11-1976\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1750&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1750\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;3456 107th Street_Corona, Long Island_Queens_New York&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Armstrong, Louis, House_05\\\/11\\\/1976&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Armstrong, Louis, House_05\/11\/1976\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Louis Armstrong (right) and jazz trombonist Jack Teagarden. (National Archives Identifier 75316022)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C205&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?fit=685%2C468&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36373\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36373 jetpack-lazy-image\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C700&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C205&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C525&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1050&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1400&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=685%2C468&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1367&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?w=1370 1370w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-1024x700.jpg?resize=685%2C468&amp;is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"468\" data-attachment-id=\"36373\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/armstrong-louis-house_05-11-1976\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1750&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1750\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;3456 107th Street_Corona, Long Island_Queens_New York&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Armstrong, Louis, House_05\\\/11\\\/1976&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Armstrong, Louis, House_05\/11\/1976\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Louis Armstrong (right) and jazz trombonist Jack Teagarden. (National Archives Identifier 75316022)&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C205&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?fit=685%2C468&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"36373\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-1024x700.jpg?resize=685%2C468&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C700&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C205&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C525&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1050&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1400&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=685%2C468&amp;ssl=1 685w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1367&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/76001265_NHL-19-scaled.jpg?w=1370 1370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Louis Armstrong (right) and jazz trombonist Jack Teagarden. (<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.archives.gov\/id\/75316022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Archives Identifier 75316022<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p>After receiving treatment for heart and kidney problems in 1968, his physicians advised him to take a break from playing. But Armstrong continued to practice every day in his Corona, Queens, home where he lived with his fourth wife, Lucille. In 1968, Armstrong recorded his final hit \u201cWhat a Wonderful World.\u201d He returned to live performances in 1970 and passed away in his sleep on July 6, 1971.<\/p>\n<p>Today Armstrong is recognized as one of the leaders of the Harlem Renaissance, a catalyst behind the revival of African American culture in the U.S., and a pioneer who ushered in a new era of jazz music. On February 21, 1949, he was the first jazz musician to appear on the cover of <em>Time<\/em> magazine, and in 1937, when Armstrong substituted for Rudy Vall\u00e9e on a CBS radio network, he became the first African American to host a sponsored, national broadcast.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He played more than 300 performances every year for 30 years. In recognition of Armstrong\u2019s monumental legacy and lasting contribution to the genre of jazz, his home in Queens was designated a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/catalog.archives.gov\/id\/75316022\" target=\"_blank\">National Landmark in 1976<\/a>. Today the Louis Armstrong House presents concerts and educational programs while also making its archival materials available for public research.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/prologue.blogs.archives.gov\/2024\/02\/14\/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>February is Black History Month. Visit the\u00a0National Archives website\u00a0for more information on our resources related to African American history. Today\u2019s post, from Alyssa Moore in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24960,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[182],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24959"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24959\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newhampshiredigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}