1984 Event August Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," premieres in New York City 1968 Birthday Meredith Rainey, born in Brooklyn, New York, 800m runner 1939 Death Ma Rainey, "Mother of the Blues", U.S. blues singer/composer, dies at 53 1936 Death Rainey Bethea, hanged, last U.S. public execution 1928 Event Last recording of Ma Rainey, "Mother of the Blues," made 1907 Birthday Froelich Rainey, born in Wisconsin, quiz moderator, What in the World 1904 Event U.S. blues singer Gertrude Pridgett marries comic William Rainey 1886 Birthday Ma Rainey, Gertrude Pridgett, "Mother of the Blues", U.S. blues singer 1870 Event Joseph Rainey (SC) became 1st black sworn into House of Reps 1870 Event Joseph H Rainey, 1st black in House of Representatives (SC)
