Today in History: January 7, first African American sings with the Metropolitan Opera

"Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Today is Wednesday, Jan. 7, the seventh day of 2026. There are 358 days left in the year. Today in history: On Jan. 7,1955, Marian Anderson became the first African American to sing with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, in Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera. Also on this date: In 1610, astronomer Galileo Galilei observed three of Jupiter's moons for the first time and a fourth days later. In 1979,"

"In 1999, President Bill Clinton's Senate impeachment trial began on grounds of perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice. The Republican-controlled House voted in October 1998 to start proceedings after months of controversy over Clinton's relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, with whom he denied having a sexual relationship. The Senate acquitted Clinton on Feb. 12, falling far short of the 67 votes needed to convict on each charge."

On January 7, 1955 Marian Anderson became the first African American to sing with the Metropolitan Opera. In 1610 Galileo observed three of Jupiter's moons and a fourth later. In 1979 Vietnamese forces captured Phnom Penh, overthrowing the Khmer Rouge, whose policies are blamed for 1.7 million deaths. In 1999 President Bill Clinton's Senate impeachment trial began on charges of perjury and obstruction; the Senate acquitted him Feb. 12. In 2015 masked gunmen attacked Charlie Hebdo, killing 12. In 2022 three men convicted in Ahmaud Arbery's murder received life sentences. In 2023 Kevin McCarthy won the House speakership after 15 ballots.

Read at www.mercurynews.com