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This Day in Black History: May 16, 1966

Pop princess Janet Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana.

Janet Jackson, born May 16, 1966, is the youngest child of the famous Jackson family of musicians, and one of contemporary music’s best-selling artists. Some of her best-known hits include “Nasty,” “All for You” and “That’s the Way Love Goes.” She released her debut album, Janet Jackson, in 1982. The $32 million contract she signed with Virgin Records in 1991 was at the time the largest recording contract in history. The American Music Award-winning artist is an actress as well and first appeared in The Jacksons, which led to the role of Penny on the comedy series Good Times, and roles on A New Kind of Family, Different Strokes and Fame. She also has appeared on the big screen in director John Singleton’s debut feature, Poetic Justice, and in The Nutty Professor II.


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(Photo: M. Caulfield/WireImage.com)

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