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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Jazz Great Ellington Will Grace DC Quarter

Capital honors native son with commemorative coin

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(Newser) – Late jazz legend Duke Ellington has been chosen to appear on the District of Columbia's commemorative quarter, CNN reports. The composer and performer, a DC native who died in 1975, beat out abolitionist Frederick Douglass and surveyor and astronomer Benjamin Banneker in a vote of the capital's residents. Ellington becomes one of very few African Americans ever to appear on a US coin. 

American big band leader and legendary jazz pianist Duke Ellington, seen circa 1948.
American big band leader and legendary jazz pianist Duke Ellington, seen circa 1948.   (Getty Images)
Jazz musician and composer Duke Ellington holding flowers while on a goodwill tour of Great Britain, England.
Jazz musician and composer Duke Ellington holding flowers while on a goodwill tour of Great Britain, England.   (Getty Images)
The Washington, DC quarter, featuring Duke Ellington. The quarter is the first of 2009 and the first in the DC and U.S. Territories Quarters Program.
The Washington, DC quarter, featuring Duke Ellington. The quarter is the first of 2009 and the first in the DC and U.S. Territories Quarters Program.   (US Mint)
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SPH
Feb 24, 09 11:20 AM CST
I heard on CNN Radio that the voters original selected the motto: "Taxation without representation", but the powers that be went with: "Justice for all"...Too funny.... Reply
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