BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS

25 years ago — 1998

The old school: Should it stay or should it go? That’s the question facing Orange Mound residents, Memphis Park Commission officials, historic preservationists and other parties interested in the fate of old Melrose School. The Park Commission is considering a plan to redevelop the block including the old school as a public services complex with recreation for all ages, plus health care for the body and mind.

50 years ago — 1973

DAYTONA, Fla. – Richard Petty, a professional driver since 1958, seldom shows emotions after winning a stock car race. But after he triumphed in Sunday’s Daytona 500, the mustachioed star from the red clay country near Randleman, N.C., literally jumped into the arms of his car owner, millionaire Andy Granatelli. “It’s the biggest victory of my career,” Petty said, “because it shows when you hang in there and have faith, you can win. Hard work makes things happen for you.” 75 years ago — 1948

An underground parking garage for Memphis beneath Fire Department headquarters, or elsewhere, is a fine idea, but — let private capital build it, not the City of Memphis. That was the opinion one City Commissioner expressed yesterday on his return after inspecting subterranean garage facilities in San Francisco.

100 years ago — 1923

EL DORADO, Ark. – Fire yesterday destroyed the Commercial Hotel at Smackover, an oil town near El Dorado.

125 years ago — 1898

Steamboats departing from Memphis yesterday were: Buckeye State to New Orleans; Kate Adams to Arkansas City; Rowena Lee to Friars Point; Robert E. Lee to Ashport; W.F. Nisbet to Cincinnati; and Hill City to New Orleans.

PHOTOS FROM THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL FILES Feb. 25, 2016: Chantalia Wray, 14, left, and Xia Gilbsy, 15, dance with other members of the Stax Music Academy during a performance of “Peace, Love and Soulsville!: Memphis to Motown” at Minglewood Hall in celebration of Black History Month. Roughly 900 students from area schools attended the show that highlighted the history and hits of Motown and Stax.

Feb. 11, 2018: Civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson embraces Pastor Gina Stewart during an appearance at Christ Missionary Baptist Church. “Our challenge today is not just to admire Dr. King, but to follow him,” Jackson said as he visited local churches to celebrate Black History Month.

Feb. 22, 2007: Tuskegee Airman Dr. Linkwood Williams cuts the ribbon opening the Black History Month exhibit at Cordova High School. Williams was at the school talking about his time as one of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Feb. 28, 2020: Second-grade scholars perform during the “A Musical Journey Through Time” Black History Month program at Dexter Elementary.