MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1996
Following last year’s hugely successful “Pocahontas” premiere in New York’s Central Park, Walt Disney Pictures is making preparations for a spectacular “French” event in New Orleans for its 34th animated feature, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Staging its own Mardi Gras in summer, Disney will throw a party in that city June 19 that will include a free premiere of the film at the Louisiana Superdome. The evening showing of Hunchback at the Superdome will take place on six enormous screens and will use a dozen 70mm projectors. More than 65,000 free tickets will be distributed through a random mail-in program. Before the screening, a live 30minute show will highlight memorable Disney musical moments. The show will conclude with a medley of songs from the film itself, all written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.
50 years ago — 1971
Earth Week began yesterday with citizens attending outdoor rallies, marching through cities and pedaling bicycles to call attention to environmental concerns. The activities marking Earth Week, proclaimed by President Nixon and the government of many states, were focused on college campuses and in city parks, where weekend activities ranged from folk concerts to “litter hikes.”
75 years ago — 1946
Memphis children will scamper over 15 city playgrounds tomorrow afternoon at the 27th annual Easter Bunny Rabbit Hunts. Programs will begin at 2 p.m. in all playgrounds. There will be fun for kiddies of all ages, including parades, treasure hunts, races, games, contests, singing egg hunts and awarding of prizes. Playgrounds where the programs will be held are Bickford, Brinkley, Chandler, Davis, De Soto, Forrest Gaston, Glenview, Guthrie, Hollywood, Overton, Peabody, Southside, Vollentine and Winchester.
100 years ago — 1921
RICHMOND, Va. - A number of young women were consecrated tonight at the session of the Woman’s Missionary Council of the Methodist Church for work in foreign fields. In the list were Miss Alice E. Furrey, Van Buren, Ark., to Korea; Miss Myrtle Pollard, Batesville, Miss, to Mexico; Miss Wilie Golden Hall, Walnut Grove, Miss., to Africa; Miss Mary Dill Overall, Dyer, Tenn., to China. Consecration services were conducted by Bishop Moore of Nashville.