MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1995
Black Americans are being educated and employed at historically high rates, but they continue to lose ground in terms of income, living conditions and family cohesion, according to two new reports that provide the most comprehensive statistical portrait of the nation’s black population in 20 years. The reports, released today by the U.S. Census Bureau, show that 73 percent of blacks age 25 years and over had at least a high school degree in 1994, compared with 51 percent in 1980. Today, one-third of black high school graduates have some college education, and high school drop-out rates for blacks and whites are virtually identical at about 5 percent.
50 years ago — 1970
A projected new college of allied medical professions for the University of Tennessee Medical Units will be delayed at least until 1971 because the legislature did not appropriate necessary funds. Dr. A.R. Haskell, executive assistant to the chancellor of UT Medical Units, said yesterday failure of the legislature to appropriate a requested $50,000 to start the new college would necessitate the delay.
75 years ago — 1945
Memphis archery fans are invited by the Memphis Park Commission to use the new indoor archery range at Gaston Community Center. The Recreation Department announced the opening of the range this week. An archery exhibition will be held at the Gaston Spring Revue, March 2.
100 years ago — 1920
The Augustus J. Nolty, a new and powerful towboat being constructed by the government at the federal dry docks around the point below Memphis, will be ready for her trial trip in a few days.
125 years ago — 1895
NUT BUSH, Miss. – At this post office, there are more copies of The Commercial Appeal than of both county newspapers combined and eight times more than any other newspaper. They still talk around here about the time a large bundle of The Appeal failed to arrive. The disappointment raged for many days.