THANKSGIVING THROUGH THE YEARS

MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 years ago — 1996

A court ruling Wednesday cleared the way for the sale of Seessel’s and its 10 Memphis-area stores next month for an undisclosed price. The purchase will enable Bruno’s immediately to take over Seessel’s No. 2 spot in the Memphis area grocery market, behind Kroger and ahead of Piggly Wiggly. Bruno’s operates 218 stores in five Southern states, including 12 in Nashville and Chattanooga. Seessel’s shoppers may not notice any immediate changes: The name will remain the same, and chief executive officer Arthur N. Seessel III plans to stay at the helm. Seessel’s, which employs 1,600 people, was founded in Memphis in 1858 by Henry Seessel. The company has remained in the family since, except for one year. In 1987, Seessel’s was sold to American Banaco Inc., but repurchased a year later.

50 years ago — 1971

Converted: “I got religion, buddy.” So ends Jessie Cornett’s recountive of his ordeal after being trapped by a rock slide in a Harlan, Ky., coal mine for nine hours Friday night. “When I came out of there I asked for a drink of water and a preacher,” the 25-year-old miner said. “I ain’t been very religious, but that preacher convinced me I should go to church Sunday.” Cornett, who has worked the mines about five years, was rescued unhurt. “I work with good fellers,” he said. “I knowed they’d get me.”

75 years ago — 1946

NEW YORK – There will be no Christmas trees this year in New York’s hotels, theaters, department stores and restaurants. The Fire Department Wednesday banned all balsam Christmas trees from places of “public assembly.” The department said the order was issued after tests had shown that efforts to fireproof the trees had proved unsatisfactory.

100 years ago — 1921

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – The Black and St. Francis rivers are tonight at flood stage in the vicinity of North Poplar Bluff as a result of the tornado and rains of Friday night.

125 years ago — 1896

During the next few days the Memphis Athletic Club football team will receive finishing touches for the big Thanksgiving game against the University team at Clarksville, Tenn.

COMMERCIAL APPEAL FILE PHOTOS Nov. 22, 1951 - One of the largest of the city's Thanksgiving Day services was this gathering of Baptists from scores of congregations. Leading the prayer was Dr. J.G. Hughes, pastor of the host Union Avenue Baptist Church.

Nov. 25, 2009: Cherry Adams prays over Thanksgiving dinner with Terrence Rainey, left, and his son Ta'derius, 7 months, that was provided by Youth Villages counselors.

A child enjoys a turkey leg on Thanksgiving in years past.

Road races are a part of the Thanksgiving fun for many families.

Families enjoy a meal together during Thanksgiving.