On this day in 1948

Published

3 months ago

July 26, 2024

Staff Editor

mississippitoday.org – Jerry Mitchell – 2024-07-26 07:00:00

JULY 26, 1948

President Harry Truman shakes hands with Air Force Staff Sgt. Edward Williams, right, of St. Louis, Missouri, just two years after Truman issued Executive Order 9981. Credit: President Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which abolished racial discrimination in the United States Armed Forces, eventually leading to segregation’s end in the services. The order came after he saw many returning Black soldiers become victims of violence.

“My stomach turned over when I learned that Negro soldiers, just back from overseas, were being dumped out of army trucks in Mississippi and beaten,” he said. “I shall fight to end evils like this.”

He formed the President’s Committee on Civil Rights, which asked for an end to discrimination in the armed forces, and later said in a speech at the Lincoln Memorial, “We have reached a turning point in the long history of our country’s efforts to guarantee freedom and equality to all of our citizens.”

Throughout the early history of the U.S. military, minorities had been segregated into separate units. Often given menial tasks, they rarely saw combat. But when they had been allowed to fight on the battlefield, they had proven their patriotism and their mettle. Many of the military brass resisted the change, and the last segregated units didn’t disband until 1954. Exactly 15 years later, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara instructed military commanders to boycott private facilities used by soldiers or their families that discriminated against Black Americans.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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Local News Video

10/17 – Trey Tonnessen's “Smoke” Thursday Night Forecast

Published

18 mins ago

October 17, 2024

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – WXXV 25 – 2024-10-17 22:25:28

SUMMARY: The weather on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is calm and cool, creating perfect football weather despite the Saints’ performance. Tonight’s temperatures will drop into the 40s, with a clear forecast for the upcoming week, free of storms and rain. A reminder for stargazers: the Atlas Comet can be viewed shortly after sunset, but won’t return for nearly 880,000 years. Additionally, watch out for potential rip currents along the coast and increased fire risks in northern areas due to dry conditions. Overall, the weather appears tranquil, while emotions run high for Saints fans.

10/17 – Trey Tonnessen’s “Smoke” Thursday Night Forecast

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News from the South - Arkansas News Feed

Rogers fire update

Published

3 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – 40/29 News – 2024-10-17 19:41:02

SUMMARY: A fire at the Rogers Recycling Plant in Benton County is escalating due to windy conditions, prompting additional firefighting crews to assist with containment efforts. The blaze, which began inside a metal building, has been difficult to extinguish as the structure’s walls have collapsed over the flames. Firefighters are awaiting cooler temperatures to access and extinguish the smoldering materials underneath. Two employees were injured, with one hospitalized. The fire chief noted that despite local water access, the scale of the fire required assistance from 15 agencies and additional water sources. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Rogers fire update

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News from the South - Alabama News Feed

Mill Road Closure Delayed Until Further Notice | Oct. 17, 2024 | News 19 at 6 p.m.

Published

3 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – WHNT News 19 – 2024-10-17 19:17:52

SUMMARY: Residents of Madison have raised concerns about a construction project set to close a key section of Mill Road for a year. Following widespread disapproval expressed on social media, the city announced the project, initially scheduled to start soon, is now delayed indefinitely. Many residents questioned the project’s duration and its impact on daily traffic. Local leaders are now exploring alternative options to minimize the timeline and address community concerns. The city acknowledged feedback from residents, showing a willingness to engage with the community on such significant infrastructure plans.