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1940-1942 
Makes cross-country tour, appearing in regularly scheduled concerts, except in Deep South or before segregated audiences.
1940
Active throughout year in Committee to Aid China, Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee to Aid Spanish Refugees and Council on African Affairs.
January
1, 1940
In response to
an avalanche of popular demand, gives repeat performance of Ballad
For Americans on CBS Radio and shortly afterwards records the
cantata with the American People’s Chorus on Victor Records.
January 21, 1940
Receives honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from
Hamilton College, in Clinton, NJ.
March 8, 1940
Film Proud Valley premiers at Leicester Square Theatre, London.
June 24, 1940
Performs Ballad for Americans, with New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and the fifty voices of the first racially integrated chorus, at Lewisohn Stadium.
July 23, 1940
Sings to 30,000 people jamming Hollywood Bowl, assisted by Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Strikes a blow against racism when the Beverly Wilshire is the only hotel in Los Angeles willing to accommodate him, but at the then exorbitant rate of $100 per night and only if he will register under an assumed name. He complies with this requirement, but then arranges to spend a few hours every afternoon sitting in the lobby, where he can easily be recognized. From this time forward, Los Angeles hotels are open to African American guests.
July 28, 1940
Gives concert for 165,000 at Grant Park, in Chicago presented by the Chicago Park
District and the Chicago Federation of Musicians.
August, 1940
· Visits Camp Wo-Chi-Ca (Workers' Children's Camp), in New Jersey, an interracial summer camp for children of workers. Returns to the camp every summer through 1949, singing with the children and playing baseball with them, and helping to develop an extensive musical program. The camp was established in
New Jersey in 1934 by a group of trade unionists and built entirely by volunteer union labor.
· Sings at benefit concert for the monthly journal, Equality.
· Is called by Collier's magazine "the favorite male Negro singer" of concertgoers and "America's No. 1 Negro entertainer."
August 3, 1940
Editorial in The Chicago Defender says, "It is easy to understand why Paul Robeson is the most beloved and greatest of artists we have produced. Robeson is an artist-fighter for Negro America….He sings for freedom….He is of the people and for the people."
August 31, 1940
Sings at opening
session of the Peace Congress, at Chicago Coliseum, following a
banquet given in his honor by the Emergency Peace Mobilization.
September, 1940
Appears, with pianist Hazel Scott and novelist Richard Wright, at benefit to establish the Negro Playwrights’ Company, before 5,000 at Golden Gate Ballroom in Harlem.
September 1, 1940
Gives concert at American Negro Exposition in Chicago.
October 6, 1940
Sings at Carnegie Hall, New York City.
November, 1940
Gives concert at University of Washington, Seattle.
November 7, 1940
Performs at Institute of Arts and Sciences, Columbia University.
November 12, 1940
Gives concert at San Francisco Opera House. Following the concert, in spite of his celebrity, is refused admission to Vanessi’s Restaurant.
Files suit against the owner for $22,500 under the California Civil Code barring
discrimination in public places on the basis of race or color, but the
case never gets to court.
November
24, 1940
Performs in concert at Auditorium Theater, Chicago, as part of the “History and Enjoyment of Music Series.”
December, 1940
· In Detroit, makes a significant contribution to the success of the UAW’s organizing campaign by speaking to the African American workers from Ford plants and other industries, and advising them to join the United Automobile Workers and the CIO, which has a policy of racial equality and welcomes African American workers into its ranks: “I am against separate unions for Negro and white workers. All should belong to the same organization….The Negro problem cannot be solved by a few of us getting to be doctors and lawyers, The best way my race can win justice is by sticking together with progressive trade unions.” (Foner) Over the next six years, is inseparably identified with the labor movement in Detroit.
· Gives recital at Pennsylvania State College, one of four performances with Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra.
· Pickets at strike of National Association of Die Casting Workers (CIO), in Chicago.
1941
FBI Chief, J. Edgar Hoover, labeling Robeson a “subversive,” begins collecting reports on his
activities, initiating a decades-long campaign of harassment and
denigration.
January, 1941
Gives concert for 14,000 at Lewisohn Stadium, with New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
February 11, 1941
Performs in concert for 5,100, in observance of Negro History Week, at the University of California, Berkeley. Apologizes to the audience for refusing to sing Glory Road , although requested by them, explaining that its lyrics, “are offensive to my people.” Also speaks on the role of African American artists, saying, in part, “The Negro people, whether amateurs or professionals, have a distinct contribution to make to the American theater. The major consideration should be that of providing avenues for the expression of this contribution. This means that Negroes who happen to be amateurs, but nevertheless show promise, should receive training and assistance in the writing field and in all other fields of play production, sets, lighting, costuming and business management....In addition, I am opposed to all-Negro revues and plays in conditions where they are not a necessary faithful characterization of Negro life.”
February 23, 1941
Performs concert of Negro Sprituals, international folk songs and Ballad for Americans, sponsored by the International Workers' Order, at Manhattan Center, New York City.
March 7, 1941
Sings a solo version of Ballad For Americans and other songs at a benefit for the Committee for People's Rights, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Bill of Rights.
March 17, 1941
Sings at the Madison Square Garden 60th birthday tribute to Communist Party General Secretary William Z. Foster, attended by 18,000.
April, 1941
Performs in pageant, The Negro in American Life, dramatizing major events in African American history, written by Carlton Moss, pioneering African American filmmaker/historian, co-sponsored by the Manhattan Council and the National Negro Congress, attended by 6,000.
April 25, 1941
Gives concert for Washington Committee for Aid to China, sponsored by National Negro Congress, with 6,000 in attendance.
May 10, 1941
Receives first annual award from the New Jersey Organization of Teachers of Colored Children, "For distinguished contributions to his county as scholar, singer, actor and ambassador of good will."
May 19, 1941
Speaks and sings at United Auto Workers rally of thousands in downtown Detroit to aid Ford organizing campaign, just days before the Union’s successful “showdown” with Henry Ford. Also visits two Ford plants, shaking hands at shop gates.
June 23, 1941
Sings at Lewisohn Stadium, NYC, with 14,000 in attendance.
July 8, 1941
Speaks and sings to the Third National Convention of the National Maritime Union, held in Cleveland, where the Union confers honorary membership on Robeson. (Foner)
July 9, 1941
Performs for 7,500, assisted by Philadelphia Orchestra.
Fall, 1941
Gives concert
for students at Glenbard High School, Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
September 29, 1941
Speaks to 20,000 at Mass Meeting to Free Earl Browder, imprisoned head of CPUSA, at Madison Square Garden, New York. (Foner)
October 1, 1941
Records “King Joe,” a blues tune in tribute to the legendary boxer Joe Louis, with Count Basie and his
orchestra; the lyrics of the song were written by novelist Richard
Wright.
November 29, 1941
Sings at testimonial concert at Town Hall, NYC, saluting Earl Robinson, composer of Ballad For Americans.
December 21, 1941
Gives concert for inmates at San Quentin prison.
December 16, 1941
Sings at San Francisco Civic Auditorium, with San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.
December 22, 1941
· At “Defend America Rally” in Los Angeles, organized by National Negro Congress, calls for full mobilization of Black community for the war effort.
· Performs in radio broadcast, “Salute to the Champions,” in support of American troops fighting in World War II.
1942
· Devotes time and talent to war effort, touring war plants, performing at War Bond Rallies and recording programs for American and Allied soldiers. Gives recitals, many at no fee, for such groups as Washington Committee for Aid to China, Russian War Relief, Ford Workers Victory Chorus, Labor Victory Rally at Yankee stadium, Concert for Negro Soldiers. At all appearances, calls for end to discrimination in the armed forces and the defense industry.
· The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) includes Robeson on its list of “presumed” Communists.
February 20, 1942
Headline in Kansas City’s Black newspaper, The Call, reads, “Paul Robeson Stops in Middle of Concert to Protest Municipal Auditorium Jim Crow. Famous Baritone Blasts Segregation in Public Building.” Editor writes to thank Robeson “for the stand you took against segregation in the Municipal Auditorium here. I think that your protest has spurred the Negro citizens here to wage a campaign against discrimination in our tax-supported buildings. You have given us a good start.”
March 6, 1942
Gives concert sponsored by Ford Local 600, UAW, Detroit.
March 7, 1942
Addresses and sings to mass meeting at Bethel AME Church in Detroit on behalf of Black families of Sojourner Truth Housing Project. Urges fighting back against Ku Klux Klan.
March 22, 1942
Is guest of honor at dinner “In Tribute to Anti-Fascist Fighters,” held at Hotel Biltmore, New York, chaired by Dorothy Parker, attended by over 1,000, including many celebrities, raising $11,000 in contributions for the transportation of anti-fascist
Spanish refugees, veterans of Republican Spain’s war against fascism, from the concentration camps of Nazi-occupied
France to Mexico, where they are granted political asylum.
Spring, 1942
Makes trip to Deep South to attend convention of Southern Negro Youth Congress, held in Tuskegee. From there, goes directly to the Southern Conference for Human Welfare, at Nashville, where he shares the platform with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
April 8, 1942
Address and sings to mass meeting in New York City to “mobilize Negro and colonial people in the fight against Fascism.”
May, 1942
Addressing Yankee stadium meeting of 51,000; calls for second front to shorten war.
May 11, 1942
Release of documentary film Native Land, with Robeson providing off-screen narration and singing, dealing with 1938 findings of La Follette-Thomas Senate Civil Liberties Committee supporting union organizing.
The
premier screening, at the World Theatre, for which Robeson donates his
services, is a benefit for the New York Newspaper Guild.
Film receives rave reviews.
May 17, 1942
· Receives citation from Secretary of Treasury Morgenthau, “In recognition of distinguished and patriotic service to our country.”
· Appears on The Fred Allen Hour, on CBS radio.
June, 1942
Appears at Lewisohn Stadium, New York City, together with Marian Anderson, at Interracial War Bond Rally, sponsored by the Treasury Department.
June 22, 1942
Sings and speaks at rally for Russian War Relief, at Madison Square Garden.
July 12, 1942
Performs Ballad For Americans, with the American People's Chorus, at Lewisohn Stadium, NYC.
July 20, 1942
Is guest of honor at Free People’s Dinner, at Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles, sponsored by 400 civic leaders and Hollywood film stars under the auspices of the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee and the Council on African Affairs, to raise funds to liberate anti-fascist leaders from Nazi concentration camps in France.
July 31, 1942
Sings at "Win the War" Rally, at Grant Park Band Shell, in Chicago, urging the opening of a Second Front by the Allies.
August 10, 1942
Opens in his first US appearance of Othello, at Harvard University. This also marks the first time the role is portrayed by an African American, with a cast of white actors, on a US stage.
August 17, 1942
Performs Othello at Princeton University.
September, 1942
Bay Area CIO in San Francisco holds luncheon in Robeson’s honor.
September 2, 1942
Speaks at Free India Rally of 4,000 in Manhattan, sponsored by the Council on African Affairs, protesting the imprisonment of Gandhi, Nehru and other Indian independence leaders by the British colonial authorities.
September 15, 1942
Speaks and sings for 10,000 workers at Inglewood, CA plant of North American Aircraft, at invitation of Local 887, UAW.
September 17, 1942
Sings and speaks at mass rally, with the theme of “Win the War, Defeat Jim Crow,” at Philharmonic Auditorium, Los Angeles, a huge demonstration for the opening of a second front in the war against Hitler in Europe, sponsored by the Council on African Affairs. The event has broad support among civic leaders, religious, labor and community organizations.
September 18, 1942
Following public release of film Tales of Manhattan, holds press conference where he announces that he will no longer act in Hollywood movies because of the demeaning, stereotyped roles available to Black actors. Indeed, this turns out to be his last film. Also praises CIO unions for being “in the forefront of the fight to smash barriers of social discrimination in hiring.” (Foner)
September 19, 1942
Tours shipyards in San Francisco Bay Area, singing before workers on the docks. In his speeches,
praises the AFL unions for taking up the fight against racial discrimination in job hiring and urges workers to join the anti-fascist struggle.
September 22, 1942
· Sings and speaks at mass meeting at Municipal Auditorium, Oakland, CA, sponsored by the Citizens for Victory Committee and the Bay Area Council Against Discrimination, calling for a second front in the anti-fascist war in Europe.
· “Tales of Manhattan: An Actor Who Could Have Told Them Something About The
Script,” article in Daily
People’s World, reports on Robeson’s September 18 press
conference, where he explains his views on the controversy over the
film and his efforts to change the direction to a realistic portrayal
of African Americans. When asked why he accepted the role, he replies,
“I thought it might lead to something better. I did it to see is I
could influence a Hollywood script in the right direction after it was
written. I found out that it can’t be done.”
September 24, 1942
Congressman Martin Dies, racist Texas Democrat and head of the
Un-American Activities Committee, becomes
the first person to accuse Robeson of being a Communist. His
“evidence,” in presenting the charge before Congress, is
Robeson’s participation in the film Native Land. Congressman Martin
Dies, racist Texas Democrat and head of the Un-American Activities
Committee, This white supremacist considers the film’s anti-racist
message to be “communistic” and, therefore, Robeson is
“guilty,” by association.
October
1942 to April 1943
Goes on concert tour of seventy performances in
cities across the US and Canada.
October 29, 1942
Sings and speaks before interracial audience at the Booker T. Washington
School auditorium in New Orleans, praising southern Blacks for their courage and steadfastness in the struggle against Jim Crow. (Foner)
November, 1942
· Speaks and sings at the 6th Annual Dance of the National Maritime Union, held in New York City, as benefit for the USO clubs and Allied War Relief Organizations.
· Appears at mass rally, “Salute to Our Russian Ally,” in Madison Square Garden.
· ·Sings and speaks at mass meeting of Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee, held at Hotel Astor, New York City, raising $25,000 for aid refugees from Hitler Fascism.
November 10, 1942
Gives concert at Cornell University, New York.
November
20, 1942
Is guest artist and featured speaker at Four Freedoms Rally,
at Orchestra Hall, Chicago, sponsored by the
Chicago Civil
Liberties Committee, with 2,000 in
attendance. November
21, 1942
Speaks at
fundraising luncheon for the Abraham Lincoln School For Social
Science, in Chicago, attended by 200 professional, educational and
labor organizations. Scheduled to open in early 1943, this school for
adults will offer courses with an emphasis on protecting and expanding
democracy and will welcome students of all races and ethnic
backgrounds.
January,
1943
Sings to 35,000 at
White Sox Park, Chicago. January
12, 1943
FBI
chief J. Edgar Hoover sends memo to Special War Policies Unit
recommending that Robeson "be considered for custodial detention
in view of the existing emergency." February
7,
1943
Receives distinguished award from Schomburg Collection
of Negro Literature (New York Public Library), among top eighteen
individuals, organizations or institutions that had done the most to
improve race relations. Robeson is included “for symbolizing and
promoting the folk art of many lands and peoples.” February
12, 1943
Receives annual Lincoln Award from students and faculty
of Abraham Lincoln High School, Brooklyn, NY, “in recognition of his
courageous championship of good will, tolerance and minority
rights.” February
13, 1943
Appears on radio, in the International Lincoln broadcast, sponsored by
the American Office of War Information.
April,
1943
Joins with many other notables in the arts and the sciences, as well
as government officials, civic, religious and labor leaders, to form
the National Council of American-Soviet Friendship, for the purpose of
promoting better understanding and strengthening friendly relations
between the two countries to help win the war against Fascism and
establish an enduring peace. April
5, 1943
Concludes
concert six-month tour in Mansfield, OH, with 1,300 jammed into an
auditorium to hear him perform a program of folk songs from around the
world, ending with Ballad For
Americans and The Star
Spangled Banner. The audience compels him to do thirteen encores.
May
2, 1943
Sings to 54,000 at Labor For Victory Rally at
Yankee Stadium and urges the group to defeat Fascism at home as well
as abroad. May
22, 1943
In
an interview in the People's
Voice, NY, says, in part, "The U.S. can best prepare for the
future by breaking down the autonomy of the states, repeal the poll
tax and put anti-lynch legislation in force. Our chief executive must
act for the protection of all the people by guaranteeing all of our
nation complete equality."
June
2, 1943
Delivers commencement address and receives honorary
degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Morehouse College, Atlanta. In
presenting the award, Morehouse President Benjamin E. Mays tells
Robeson: "You sing as if God Almighty sent you into the world to
advocate the cause of the common man in song. You are truly the
people’s artist….We are happy…to be the first Negro college in
the world to place its stamp of approval upon the leadership of a man
who embodies all the hopes and aspirations of the Negro race…."
June
7, 1943
Speaks and sings at Negro Freedom Rally at
Madison Square Garden. June
10, 1943
In commencement address at Manual Training
School, advises Blacks to support the struggle for racial equality in
the trade union movement. June
25, 1943
Gives open-air concert
to 22,000 at the Watergate, in Washington DC. June
27, 1943
Sings and speaks over CIO’s national radio program, Labor
for Victory, urging unity in the war against Fascism.
July 1, 1943
Performs with Philharmonic Orchestra, for 20,000 at Lewisohn Stadium,
New York City
July
8, 1943
Is special guest at 8th Annual Session
of the National Maritime Union Convention in New York and is awarded
honorary membership in the Union. July
15, 1943
Gives concert for 2,000 trainees at US Naval Training Station, in
Great Lakes, IL July
20, 1943
Speaks
at Free People’s Dinner, given in his honor, in Berkeley, CA,
declaring that the victory over Fascism “must bring a world where
there can be no question of a colored people or a white people, but a
question of human beings, a world where there can be no question of
colonial exploitation of any kind.” (Foner)
July
24, 1943
·
Sings and speaks at “Production for Victory
Rally” at Apex Smelting Company defense plant in Chicago, sponsored
by International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers.
·
Performs at 4th Annual American Negro Music
Festival, sponsored by The
Chicago Defender newspaper, held at Comiskey's White Sox Park,
Chicago, with 35,000 attending.
July
25, 1943
Is honored guest at
meeting of the Board of Directors of the Abraham Lincoln School For
Social Science, in Chicago. Donates $2,000, the fee paid him by the Chicago
Defender for his performance the previous night. Robeson rarely
makes a public gesture of giving money; he usually does it in private
or by donating his services.
August
1943
Participates in rally to benefit Joint Anti-Fascist
Refugee Committee, in Los Angeles.
August
8, 1943
Speaks and
sings in San Francisco, at
Conference on Racial and National Unity in Wartime, sponsored by the
CIO.
August
10, 1943
Performs at United Nations Concert, with
the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, sponsored by San Francisco
CIO Council, at San Francisco Civic Auditorium
August
21, 1943
Speaks to Longshore & Shipclerks’ Caucus at their
convention in San Francisco.
September-October
1943
Gives several performances of Othello
in New Haven, Philadelphia and Boston.
While in Boston, is invited to City Hall, where Mayor Maurice Tobin
presents him with the key to the city, the first time such and honor
is given to an African American.
September
11, 1943
At invitation of Vice President Henry A. Wallace,
addresses Win the Peace Rally at the Chicago Stadium, with 20,000
attending.
October,
1943
Performs in all-star Victory Rally
for 5,000 at Golden Gate Ballroom, New York, organized by
African American pianist and band leader Teddy Wilson. Others who
contribute their talents include Coleman Hawkins, Hazel Scott, Pearl Primus, Billie Holliday, Mary
Lou Williams, Ella Fitzgerald.
October 19, 1943-June 30, 1944
Stars in Othello
at Shubert Theatre, New York
, thus becoming
the first African American to play the role with a white supporting
cast on the Broadway stage. At the history-making opening night performance, the audience gives him a
twenty-minute standing ovation, demanding ten curtain calls.
His portrayal is considered the definitive Othello
of the modern theater. The show runs for 296 performances, setting the
record for the longest-running Shakespearean production in the history
of the Broadway theater, earning him a long list of prestigious awards,
including the coveted Donaldson Award for Best Acting Performance, as
well as the highest praise from reviewers and critics the world over.
Despite such acclaim and his international renown and popularity, he
is not permitted to dine at Sardi’s, located just across the street
from the Theatre, or at other New York restaurants, except in Harlem.
Performs with Philharmonic Orchestra, for 20,000 at Lewisohn Stadium, New York City.
November 12, 1943
Honorary membership conferred by International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union (ILWU) President Harry Bridges after unanimous action by Convention, for “his steadfast devotion and service to the cause of democracy and to the economic and cultural advancement of all peoples.”
November 14,
1943
Makes special trip to Boston to address a meeting at Symphony Hall, calling for a full investigation into the recent rash of anti-Semitic acts of vandalism against a Jewish cemetery and a synagogue. Making the link to the war against fascism in Europe, he says, “The struggle for freedom in which we are bloodily engaged means to me freedom for all individuals. To attack the Jews is to attack the colored race, and I trust that Negroes in Boston are as outraged as though the attacks had been on them."
November
16, 1943
Speaks at the
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, at 12th
Annual Herald Tribune Forum,
on the participation of African Americans in the fight against Fascism,
stating that they are among the people who have a special stake in the
victory of the Allies over the Fascist powers. (Foner)
November
21, 1943
Sings and speaks at fundraiser to establish the
Abraham Lincoln School for Social Studies, at the Chicago Opera House,
to benefit the thousands of African American workers who have migrated
from the South.
December
3, 1943
Speaks to annual meeting of Major League Baseball club
owners, demanding they admit Black players to major league baseball.
It is largely due to Robeson’s efforts, on this and other occasions,
that Jackie Robinson is finally able, two years later, to break the
“color bar” in baseball. (Foner)
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