Category: Newspapers

This November 27, 1963 edition of The Evening Bulletin (Philadelphia) has the headline “Johnson Asks End of Hate and Violence; Appeals for Passage of Civil Rights Bill“.  This was 5 days after President Kennedy was assassinated.

The San Diego Evening Tribune June 8, 1968 headline KING SLAYING SUSPECT CAPTURED IN LONDON, also Train Kills 2 Kennedy Mourners.  The paper was photographed through plastic, but is in very good condition.  The paper is the complete front section.

Anyone who knows elementary Civil Rights history knows about the police dogs and fire hoses that were used against demonstrators in Birmingham, Alabama.  This May 5, 1963 edition of The Montgomery Advertiser shows the fascinatingly DIFFERENT perspective of the mainstream media in Alabama with documenting the event; the demonstrators are depicted as a “mob” and a “taunting crowd” who “challenged police officials to use the water hoses and leashed dogs.” Note Rev. James Bevel (they misspelled his name) in front page photo Continue reading “1963 “MOBS…DEFY DOGS, FIRE HOSES” (Birmingham, AL)”

This August 6, 1966 edition of The Times-Picayune describes an event where Dr. King was hit in the head with a rock during a riot in Chicago.  “King said he had never seen such hate.  He said Chicago was worse than any Southern city.”

This October 21, 1962 edition of The Montgomery Advertiser has a headline of “Plea For State Militia By Wallace Expected” and includes the article “King Plans New Drive In Alabama“.  This article mentions the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and says that Martin Luther King “plans to recruit a nonviolent army to fight segregation in Alabama where his passive resistance move started 7 years ago“. The article titled “U of A Integration Aim Spurs Move, Sources Hint” says “Incoming Governor George C. Wallace is expected to take steps to create a state militia in the wake of an announced integration attempt at the University of Alabama.”

This “Special Wallace Tabloid” is published by the Montgomery Advertiser and Alabama Journal and is titled “THE DRAMATIC FIRST YEAR” celebrating segregationist Governor George Wallace’s first year as Governor of Alabama.  The tabloid is filled with history and numerous congratulations from businesses throughout Alabama (see photo).

This May 31, 1963 edition of The Montgomery Advertiser has a cover story that says “Leader Says Klan Won’t Attend Mix“.  This story quotes Imperial Wizard of the United Klans of America Robert M. Shelton, who says that the KKK will not attend the integration of the all-white University of Alabama by Vivian J. Malone (African-American) and states “The Klan Continue reading “1963 “QUIET INTEGRATION GAINS REPORTED ALL OVER SOUTH””

This May 2, 1966 edition of The Birmingham News has cover story of “U.S. Observers Sent to Black Belt“ with the larger title on the page reading “Alabama in Spotlight As Six States to Vote.” Other cover stories: “Millions will go to polls“, “Impact of ’65 Voting Rights Act to be felt“, “All in line can vote if identified”.  Click “Continue Reading” for full-page insert advertising Wallace for Governor. Continue reading “1966 “…thousands of Negroes will vote for the first time” (1st election post-1965 Voting Rights Act)”

Interestingly, this May 29, 1963 edition of The Birmingham Post-Herald erroneously shows a date of MAY 29, 1863 (100 YEARS EARLIER) and includes an article titled “Fort Sumter, 1963, Seems Near At Hand“.  It talks about Governor Faubus (Arkansas) yielding to the Federal Government over integration, Governor Ross (Mississippi) yielding, and wonders if Governor Wallace (Alabama) will stand his ground and not allow James Meredith (an African-American) to enter the all-white University of Alabama. It The newspaper also has an article titled “Harlem Negroes Impatient, Angry, Tired of Platitudes“,

This May 28, 1963 edition of The Birmingham Post-Herald shows a cover story of “Wallace’s Complaint Rejected“.  Other stories include “Negro Maid Given Papers By Marshals“, “Schoolhouse Door Plan of Wallace Is Outlined” (this describes in detail how the Governor intends to defy the U.S. Marshals who will attempt to enroll the first African-American), “Desegregation Proposals Coming” which states “unless all signs fail, another filibuster by Conservative Southern Democrats is likely to greet any new civil rights measures in the Senate.”  Other articles include “RFK Urges Theater Men To End (Negro) Ban” and “Troop Action By President Ruled Valid“. Continue reading “1963 WALLACE “SCHOOLHOUSE DOOR PLAN” OUTLINED”

These May 20th and 26th 1963 editions of The New York Times, include a full-page cover story giving a summary of the “Race Conflict” in Alabama.  Other stories include “Integration Won’t Help His Race, California Negro Lawyer Declares“, and “Negro Pickets Battle Workers“.

This May 14, 1963 edition of The Montgomery Advertiser has the cover story “Wallace Hints Court Order To Oust Troops” with subtitle “Governor Insists Military Units In Alabama Illegally“.  A unique article “King Preaches His Doctrine In Pool Halls, On Sidewalks“, describes the effort of the SCLC to protect the Civil Rights Movement from violence by preaching nonviolence even in the most unlikely places (and even collecting knives while doing so! Continue reading “1963 “KING PREACHES DOCTRINE IN POOL HALLS””

This May 10th, 1963 edition of The Montgomery Advertiser  shows the headline “King Says Agreement Reached On Demands“.  Subtitle says “Birmingham Truce Still In Effect“.  Another interesting cover story says “Wires Praise, Attack Wallace On Racial Issue At Birmingham” and quotes from disapproving Connecticut Governor John Dempsey (whom Wallace tells to “mind his own business” and quotes from supportive Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett.  Inside the paper is a very interesting article is titled “Pep Rallies Heartbeat of Birmingham’s Negro Movement“.  This last article is a surprisingly neutral observation from a reporter inside a local church rally who notes that “It’s there that they receive the spiritual push necessary to face police, firemen and jail.” Continue reading “1963 BIRMINGHAM TRUCE STILL IN EFFECT”

The Birmingham News (Alabama) from June 13, 1967 has cover story “NEGRO NOMINATED FOR COURT” about Thurgood Marshall’s historic nomination to the Supreme Court with the subtitle “Ex-NAACP aid first of his race to be named.”  Also includes article “Tampa Negroes loot, burn slums”, and “Carmichael likely to go free on bond” about Stokely Carmichael.

Albany was considered Martin Luther King’s only failure in the Civil Rights Movement (thanks to Police Chief Laurie Prichett, who studied the mistakes of King’s previous adversaries).  See below for a brief history of the Albany Movement.  This June 20, 1963 edition of The Atlanta Constitution has the headline “President’s Rights Bill Assailed by Georgians“.  It has the subtitle “Kennedy Blueprints Broad Plan“.  One cover article states “Marchers Hurl Rocks In Albany” (with quotes from infamous Police Chief Laurie Prichett).  The title of a very interesting Opp/Ed piece “The Civil Rights Controversy Continues Uppermost in the Minds of the Readers” reflects the outrage of someone who witnessed a black patron being carried out of a restaurant feet first; the writer vows never to return Continue reading “1963 “MARCHERS HURL ROCKS IN ALBANY””

This 11/27/63 edition of The Indianapolis Times features President Johnson on the cover with the title “Johnson Urges Fast Action On Kennedy’s Civil Rights”. The paper came out 5 days after President Kennedy was assassinated.

This July 26, 1964 edition of The Atlanta Journal and Constitution contains a very interesting editorial cartoon about the Harlem Race Riots.  The cartoon’s captions says “Brother Nero, do you smell smoke?” and includes caricatures of the leaders of the SCLC (Martin Luther King), the NAACP, SNCC, and CORE playing the violin to the music of “We Shall Overcome”.

This May 18, 1963 edition of The Montgomery Advertiser shows a headline of “Gov. Wallace Files Suit Against Kennedy In D.C.” with subtitle “President Urges Racial Harmony“.  Other articles included “Negroes Protest in Greensboro; 400 Arrested” and “Birmingham Increases Patrols For Weekend“.  The latter article, referring to threats of racial bombing says “Negro volunteers posted themselves at the homes of integration leaders and churches Friday night.” Continue reading “1963 “NEGROES PROTEST IN GREENSBORO; 400 ARRESTED””

This May 30, 1963 edition of the Selma Times-Journal features interesting segregation, desegregation, and voters drive-related articles.  One title states “No Sales of Liquor, Negro Entry Day” (liquor stores are ordered closed on the day that African-Americans Vivian Malone and James Hood enter the all-white University of Alabama); another states “Church Fight Won By Anti-Mixers” (delegates to a Methodist conference name 3 pro-segregationists to represent them).  Finally, “Voters Drive Set for Birmingham” (Rev. Andrew Young gives details about a voter drive) Continue reading “1963 LIQUOR STORES TO CLOSE DURING INTEGRATION OF UNIVERSITY”

This June 14, 1963 edition of The Montgomery Advertiser has cover stories relating to Civil Rights.  One reads “Pastor Resigns Over Race Issue“.  This article is about a Pastor “who recommended that his church admit Negroes to worship”.  Most of the Deacons disagreed and the Pastor resigned “rather than tear up the church.” Continue reading “1963 PASTOR WANTING TO DESEGREGATE CHURCH RESIGNS”

Western Edition of the New York Times.  Headline: “NEGRO AT MISSISSIPPI U. AS BARNET YIELDS; 3 SHOT AS MARSHALS COMBAT STUDENT RIOTS; KENNEDY, IN APPEAL, INVOKES STATE’S HONOR”.

This turbulent Civil Rights history is perfectly preserved in these headline articles.

Click HERE for 3 James Meredith signatures.

Click HERE for 1st edition of Meredith’s autobiography.

Continue reading “1962 RIOTS AS NEGRO DESEGREGATES MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY”