On April ninth, 1939, singer Marian Anderson performed a concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington after she was denied use of Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In 1962, “West Side Story” won the Academy Award for best picture.

In 1976, folk singer and songwriter Phil Ochs hanged himself at his sister’s home in New York. He was 35.

In 1979, “The Deer Hunter” won the best picture and best director Oscars. “Last Dance,” from the soundtrack to the movie “Thank God It’s Friday,” won the best original song award.

In 1984, “Terms of Endearment” was the big winner at the Academy Awards. “Flashdance” was named best original song.

In 1988, the music world lost two singers. Brook Benton (“Frankie and Johnny,” ”The Boll Weevil Song”) died of an illness in New York. Dave Prater from the duo Sam and Dave died in a car accident in Georgia.

In 1992, Amy Grant was honored with the Artist of the Year award at the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards.

In 1997, Soundgarden announced its breakup. They have since reformed.

Today’s Birthdays: Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner is 87. Satirical songwriter and mathematician Tom Lehrer is 85. Naturalist Jim Fowler (“Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom”) is 81. Actress Michael Learned (“The Waltons”) is 74. Country singer Margo Smith is 71. Country singer Hal Ketchum is 60. Actor Dennis Quaid is 59. Humorist Jimmy Tingle (“60 Minutes II”) is 58. Country guitarist Dave Innis of Restless Heart is 54. Actor Mark Pellegrino (“Dexter”) is 48. Actress-model Paulina Porizkova (pohr-ih-SKOH’-vah) is 48. Actress Cynthia Nixon (“Sex and the City”) is 47. Singer Kevin Martin of Candlebox is 44. Singer Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance is 36. Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam (“The Cosby Show”) is 34. Guitarist Albert Hammond Junior of The Strokes is 33. Actor Jay Baruchel (BA’-ruh-shel) (“Knocked Up,” ”Tropic Thunder”) is 31. Actress Leighton Meester (“Gossip Girl”) is 27. Singer-actor Jesse McCartney (“Summerland”) is 26. Singer Jazmine Sullivan is 26. Actress Kristen Stewart (“Twilight”) is 23. Actress Elle Fanning (“Because of Winn-Dixie”) is 15. Singer Jackie Evancho is 13.