Rotarians speak
25 years ago — 1993
Downtown development officials Tuesday granted a 10-year tax freeze for a planned retail and commercial center on Mud Island expected to save developers about $430,000 over the next decade. The Center City Revenue Finance Corp. unanimously approved the tax break for the planned Harbor Town Square – a 3.6-acre addition to the Harbor Town development expected to include retail shops, small businesses, a theater, grocery store and other amenities.
50 years ago — 1968
Negotiations in the garbage strike that led to Dr. Martin Luther King’s tragic visit to Memphis began again yesterday under the umpirage of a representative from the White House, while Memphians were preparing to fill Crump Stadium this afternoon with an outpouring of citizens concerned for their community. The “Memphis Cares” meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. Its location was changed to Crump Stadium after some of its sponsors noted that National Guard troops, tents and trucks cover much of the area around Memphis Memorial Stadium.
75 years ago — 1943
Allied Headquarters in North Africa – General Montgomery’s British Eighth Army opened a new offensive yesterday against Marshal Rommel’s shattered defenses at Wadi El Akarit, striking out after days of aerial bombardment which paved the way. This began the final push to drive the Nazis to the sea and secure North Africa.
100 years ago — 1918
With “Berlin or Bust” placarded over the wagons of their traveling field kitchens, the American troops, mudsplattered but exuberant, are being mobilized to join the front in France. All the cannons, wagons and trucks were decorated with Old Glory. As they passed, French peasants sprang from the roadside to clasp the Americans’ hands. At least 100,000 men were being mobilized yesterday.
125 years ago — 1893
Last week Prince Bismarck, ex-chancellor of Germany, celebrated his 78th birthday. Though out of power, he is still enshrined in the people’s hearts and is remembered with reverence as the founder of the German empire. There were birthday celebrations and speeches for him all over Germany.