<< This Month’s Freedom Day >>
Freedom Day is NAAM’s monthly free admission day, honoring the history, culture, and movements that continue to shape the pursuit of freedom for all.Jesse Owens
Honoring a Sports Legend who Laid the Groundwork for Generations
July 6, 2026, marked 55 years since the passing of one of the greats, Louis Armstrong. While this day was closed for the museum, we are honoring his legacy on July 18th with a free admission day to the museum.
Legacy & Impact
Did You Know?
Iconic Handkerchief
He was known for his signature handkerchief, which he often used to mop his brow during performances.
3,000 Recordings
Armstrong was also a prolific recording artist, and he made over 3,000 recordings during his career.
Swing Pioneer
He was a major figure in the development of swing music and was a key player in the transition from traditional jazz to the more modern styles that emerged in the 1930s and 1940s.
First Cornet
He got his first cornet at the age of 11, and by the time he was a teenager, he was playing in local jazz bands.
International Success
He had a string of pop hits beginning in 1949 and started making regular overseas tours, where his popularity was so great, he was dubbed “Ambassador Satch.”
Historic Broadcast
In 1937, Armstrong became the first African American to host a nationally sponsored, major network radio show, taking over Fleischmann's Yeast Show.
Hollywood Trailblazer
In 1936, he became the first Black musical artist to receive featured, co-starring billing with white actors in a major Hollywood film (Pennies from Heaven alongside Bing Crosby).
