Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey, the 'Mother of the Blues,' is born in Columbus, Georgia.
At a Glance
- Date
- 26 April 1886
- Location
- Columbus, Georgia
- Key people
- Ma Rainey
- Category
- Music
- Source
- Recordings; biographical records · Smithsonian NMAAHC
What It Meant Then
She was among the first professional blues singers and earliest to record the music.
What It Means Now
Rainey's influence runs through the entire history of American blues.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Ma Rainey Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/ma-rainey-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Ma Rainey Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/ma-rainey-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Ma Rainey Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/ma-rainey-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.