MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1995
The best stories of the Year in Memphis Sports seemed to happen anywhere and everywhere but in Memphis. Memphian John Daly went to Scotland and won the British Open. The Germantown High baseball team went to California and won a major tournament that sent the Red Devils on their way to an undefeated record, state title and mythical national championship. The University of Memphis basketball team went to Austin, Texas, and won two games on an impressive NCAA Tournament run that ended in a dramatic overtime loss to Arkansas in Kansas City. And former U of M stars Elliot Perry and Isaac Bruce made their respective marks playing basketball in Phoenix and football in St. Louis. The Liberty Bowl was home to frustration this year — the Canadian Football League’s expansion Memphis Mad Dogs shut down after drawing scant crowds, and the U of M football team couldn’t win on the field or at the gate. Unfilled seats were a big story this year. So was an unfilled job — Charles Cavagnaro left as U of M athletic director and the school spent the last half of 1995 trying to replace him, settling last week on Temple AD R.C. Johnson.
50 years ago — 1970
WASHINGTON – The Federal Trade Commission ordered Wednesday a posting of minimum octane ratings on gasoline pumps at stations operated, owned or leased by major refiners and large independent chains. The new rule is effective June 28, 1971, and covers about 80 per cent of the gas gallonage pumped in the United States, the FTC said. Spokesmen said the regulation will apply to about half the gas pumps in America. The small, independently owned operations — including what are commonly called Mom and Pop stations — are not included in the order.
75 years ago — 1945
Shrugging off its wartime modesty, a Memphis freed from wartime worries will greet the New Year at midnight tonight with the gayest abandon since the nation went to war four years ago. The holiday spirit will reign at night spots, hotels, movies and numerous homes where thousands of Memphians will gather to bid goodbye to 1945 and see the New Year in. The gala evening promises to be wetter than usual, with liquor dealers reporting a run on the already limited stock of holiday spirits. Co-operating for the occasion, the Weather Bureau predicts partly cloudy and somewhat warmer weather for both today and tomorrow.
100 years ago — 1920
WASHINGTON – There will be no New Year’s reception at the White House Saturday. Because of the recent illness of the president and the fact that a terrific strain would be placed upon him in attempting to receive the thousands who would besiege the mansion if the gates were opened, it was stated today that the reception would be omitted. The time honored custom of receiving by the president has been suspended since 1917.