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Birth
Maya Angelou is a show name her real name is Marguerite Annie Johnson. Johnson was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Three years later her mother and father divorced. -
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Lifespan
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Went Mute
Angelou was molested when she was 8 years old by her mothers boyfriend. She told only her brother and later her molester was killed by her uncle. Angelou felt responsible for it and didn't speak again until she was 13. -
Left Home
A few weeks after graduating high school Angelou had a child and named them Guy. She then left home shortly after. She did not marry for years after. -
Began Her Opera Tour of Europe
Angelou began a two year tour of Europe with an opera company following her dreams of participating in arts like singing and dancing. -
"Calypso Lady" Released
Angelou's first studio album -
Moved To Cairo, Egypt
Angelou married a South African man named Vusumzi Make and moved to Cairo, Egypt where she became an editor for "The Arab Observer". They moved to Ghana later and Angelou became an editor for "The African Review" and wrote for "The Ghanaian Times". -
"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" Published
This is her most famous book of poetry and contained some of her most personal stories about her life like how she was molested when she was young. This is Angelou's most critically acclaimed book. -
Clinton's Inauguration
American president Bill Clinton made Angelou compose and read a poem at his presidential inauguration. Angelou read the poem "On The Pulse Of The Morning". -
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Barack Obama awarded the highest civilian honor to Angelou the Presidential Medal Of Freedom. -
Death
Maya Angelou died after 86 years of life.