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Birth
Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her birth name is Marguerite Annie Johnson. -
Moves to Arkansas
At age 3, Maya moved with her brother to Stamps, Arkansas, to live with their grandmother. -
Becomes a Mother
She became a mother at 17 to her only child, Clyde. -
Becomes a Dancer & Singer
She worked as a dancer and singer, using the stage name "Maya Angelou" and performing in clubs. -
Releases her First Album
Released her first album, "Miss Calypso". -
Moves to Egypt
Moved to Cairo, Egypt, where she worked as an editor for The Arab Observer. -
Moves to Ghana
Moved to Ghana, where she taught at the University of Ghana’s School of Music and Drama. -
Returns to the United States
Joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to help him with conferences. She also worked with Malcolm X. -
Publishes her first Autobiography
Published "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," which gave her a big voice in the literature world. -
Appears in Roots
Appeared in the series "Roots," a drama about slavery. -
Becomes the Reynolds Professor of American Studies
She became the Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University. -
Makes "On the Pulse of Morning"
She read her iconic poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration. -
Receives the National Medal of Arts
She was awarded the National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton. -
Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, by President Barack Obama. -
Death
Maya Angelou passed away on May 28 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.