Singer Aretha Franklin is born in Memphis, Tennessee.
At a Glance
- Date
- 25 March 1942
- Location
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Key people
- Aretha Franklin
- Category
- Music
- Source
- Recordings; biographical records · Britannica
What It Meant Then
She became the 'Queen of Soul' and a voice of the civil rights era.
What It Means Now
Her recording of 'Respect' endures as an anthem of dignity and empowerment.
Also on 25 March
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Aretha Franklin Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/aretha-franklin-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Aretha Franklin Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/aretha-franklin-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Aretha Franklin Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/aretha-franklin-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.