A rum ship & this piggy goes to market — Today in Triangle history
A daily look at some of The News & Observer headlines on this date in past years.
On this day in 1963, a Fort Bragg paratrooper led an anti-segregation rally in front of the mayor’s house in his hometown of Danville, Virginia.
Wearing his uniform, Pfc. Buford T. Holt carried a sign declaring his willingness to die for his country. The sign added, “But I must ask this nation if America is prepared to defend my rights.”
Other Tar Heel goings-on on July 15:
1954: A new Pig in town
Raleigh opened its newest — and seventh — Piggly Wiggly market in Longview Gardens on what is now New Bern Avenue.
The building still stands, though the pigs have long wiggled away.
1947: From Garner to Hollywood
An 18-year-old girl from Garner won a weeklong trip to Hollywood in a McCall’s Pattern contest. The magazine picked Betty Rand’s sleeveless dress — with no hip pockets — out of 18,000 entries.
1945: Thanks for ‘pretty rugged’ service
Pfc. Henry Dunn of Tarboro was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on Iwo Jima.
Shot by a sniper in the shoulder and mouth, the Marine called the fighting “pretty rugged.”
And 100 years ago today …
In 1926, government agents seized a “rum ship” packed with 4,000 cases of smuggled whiskey off the coast of Wilmington.
All 14 crewmen were jailed, with bail set at $10,000 apiece.
What headlines should we look up on upcoming dates? Send your ideas to metroeds@newsobserver.com.