Hope at the Hyatt
25 years ago — 1993
NORFOLK — The Senate committee pondering the ban on gays in the military took its inquiry to U.S. warships Monday to seek sailors’ views, which listed heavily in favor of keeping the ban. One sailor said he would refuse to serve alongside homosexuals. Another worried the Navy might become fragmented and demoralized. And a gay officer said such attitudes reflect unreasonable fear.
50 years ago — 1968
PARIS — Negotiators for the United States and North Vietnam, meeting in what both sides called a good atmosphere and with a handshake, agreed Friday to open preliminary peace talks Monday morning. The accord broke through a potential barrier of technical problems and raised hopes of United States officials that serious negotiations on ending the war in Southeast Asia may become possible.
75 years ago — 1943
The biggest American bombing raid in history is devastating the Sicilian port and industrial city of Palermo. This is a warning to the Italian people of what they may expect if they continue to fight now that the war in North Africa is virtually ended.
100 years ago — 1918
The little city of Germantown on the Southern Railway just east of Memphis has voted to rename itself “Neshoba” after an Indian tribe which used to live there. Petitions had been circulated to rename the town “Woodrow,” until it was discovered that many other communities have taken that name. The state legislature must officially approve the name change.
125 years ago — 1893
It is reported that the Cuban revolution collapsed because the Cuban government bought off the rebel leaders. This method was infinitely cheaper than fighting. Besides, the government has found it impossible to bring about a decisive battle with guerrilla bands, which hide in the hills and forests. Malaria and typhoid fever kill hundreds of government soldiers while the rebels seem immune to these diseases.