19 moments

1. Birth in New Orleans

   1901-08-04 · New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

   Armstrong was born in New Orleans, the city whose musical culture shaped his early life and career. Armstrong himself often gave July 4, 1900 as his birth date; the August 4, 1901 date is the modern biographical consensus.

2. Arrest after New Year's Eve gunfire

   1912-12-31 · New Orleans Juvenile Court, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

   

   Armstrong was arrested after firing his stepfather's gun into the air, leading to his detention and musical training at the Colored Waifs' Home. Court location is represented by central New Orleans because the cited source does not identify the court building.

3. Release from the Colored Waifs' Home

   1914-06-14 · Colored Waifs' Home for Boys, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

   

   Armstrong was released from juvenile detention, where he had developed his cornet playing in the institution's band. Coordinates represent the historic City Park Avenue and Conti Street area associated with the institution.

4. Arrival to join King Oliver in Chicago

   1922-07-08 · Illinois Central Station, Chicago, Illinois, United States

   

   Armstrong arrived in Chicago to join King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, beginning the move that launched his national recording career. The source identifies Illinois Central Station at Twelfth Street and Michigan Avenue.

5. New York engagement with Fletcher Henderson

   1924-10-01 · New York City, New York, United States

   

   Armstrong moved to New York City and joined Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, bringing his New Orleans solo style into a leading dance-band setting. The source supports the city and month, but not a specific venue or residence.

6. Return to Chicago and Hot Five period

   1925-01-01 · Chicago, Illinois, United States

   

   Armstrong returned to Chicago, where he began making landmark recordings under his own name and performed with the Hot Five and Hot Seven. Coordinates represent central Chicago; the source does not identify a single recording studio.

7. Opening at Frank Sebastian's Cotton Club

   1930-07-18 · Frank Sebastian's Cotton Club, Culver City, California, United States

   Armstrong opened an extended California engagement at Frank Sebastian's Cotton Club, a major step in his early film and West Coast career. The source identifies the venue as Frank Sebastian's Cotton Club in Culver City; coordinates are an approximate site on Washington Boulevard.

8. Visit to former teacher at Municipal Boys' Home

   1931-06-01 · Municipal Boys' Home, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

   On his first trip back to New Orleans after moving to Chicago, Armstrong visited Peter Davis, his former teacher at the renamed Colored Waifs' Home. Coordinates represent the historic City Park Avenue and Conti Street site.

9. Permanent settlement in Corona

   1943-01-01 · Louis Armstrong House, Corona, Queens, New York City, New York, United States

   

   Armstrong and Lucille Armstrong made their home in Corona, Queens; it remained Armstrong's base between tours for the rest of his life. Coordinates are for 34-56 107th Street, the preserved Armstrong home.

10. All Stars concert in Pasadena

    1951-01-30 · Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California, United States

    Armstrong and His All-Stars performed a concert recorded at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, later issued as Satchmo at Pasadena. The catalog identifies Armstrong as trumpet-vocals performer.

11. Concert at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées

    1952-01-01 · Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France

    Armstrong performed in Paris at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, a concert later recalled as influential by writer Julio Cortázar. The source supports the year but not a more precise performance date.

12. Arrival for Japan tour

    1953-01-01 · Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), Tokyo, Japan

    Armstrong and Lucille Armstrong arrived at Tokyo airport at the start of his 1953–1954 Japanese tour. The archival image record dates the item to 1953 but does not provide an arrival day.

13. Arrival in Accra

    1956-05-23 · Accra, Gold Coast (now Ghana)

    Armstrong, Lucille, and the All Stars arrived in Accra during a celebrated Gold Coast visit and performed for a vast public audience. Coordinates represent central Accra; the source identifies the arrival airport but does not name it.

14. Little Rock interview while performing in Grand Forks

    1957-01-01 · Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States

    While performing in Grand Forks, Armstrong gave a widely reported interview condemning resistance to school desegregation in Little Rock. The source supports the year and city but not a specific venue or date.

15. Newport Jazz Festival appearance

    1958-01-01 · Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, Rhode Island, United States

    

    Armstrong appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival; the performance was captured in the documentary film Jazz on a Summer's Day. Coordinates represent Newport's historic festival area; the source supplies the year but not a performance day.

16. Arrival in Léopoldville on State Department tour

    1960-10-28 · Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), Republic of the Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo)

    Armstrong arrived in Léopoldville during his State Department-sponsored African tour, amid Congo's first months of independence. Coordinates represent central Kinshasa; the Library of Congress source does not identify the arrival facility.

17. Visit to the Great Sphinx of Giza

    1961-01-28 · Great Sphinx of Giza, Giza, United Arab Republic (now Egypt)

    During the final stop of his African tour, Armstrong visited the Giza Plateau, played for children in Cairo, and performed a Cairo concert that evening. The source documents the date and Giza location directly.

18. Final Waldorf-Astoria engagement begins

    1971-03-02 · Empire Room, Waldorf-Astoria, New York City, New York, United States

    Armstrong entered the Waldorf-Astoria for a two-week Empire Room engagement, his final major public performance run. The source establishes the engagement start date; the Empire Room identification is supported by contemporaneous museum material on the engagement.

19. Death at home in Corona

    1971-07-06 · Louis Armstrong House, Corona, Queens, New York City, New York, United States

    

    Armstrong died peacefully in his sleep at his long-term home in Corona, Queens, ending a five-decade performing career. Coordinates are for the documented Armstrong residence at 34-56 107th Street.