ELVIS PRESLEY DIES AT GRACELAND
Memphis, Tennessee (JFK+50) The "King of Rock n' Roll", Elvis Aaron Presley, died suddenly today at his Graceland home here in Memphis, Tennessee.
Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi but moved with his family to Memphis when he was 13.
Elvis, who has won 3 Grammy Awards, was found motionless by his girlfriend, Ginger Alder, in his bathroom about 1:30 this afternoon local time.
He was rushed to Baptist Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. Just 30 minutes later, Vernon Presley, Elvis' father, announced to the press: "My son is dead."
The cause of death is believed to be heart failure.*
*It was learned much later that Elvis actually died from the longtime overuse of prescription drugs.
On the evening news, David Brinkley of NBC-TV said:
"Even though he didn't drink, smoke or drive his own car, (Elvis) died at the age of 42."
Elvis Presley's Grave
at "Graceland"
Memphis, Tennessee
Photo by Daniel Schwen
August 16,1948
BABE RUTH, "MR. BASEBALL", DEAD OF CANCER
New York City (JFK+50) The flag at Yankee Stadium today was lowered to half-staff in honor of the passing of New York Yankee slugger George Herman "Babe" Ruth.
The Babe Gives His Autobiography
to Yale University
Received by George H.W. Bush
The Babe had been diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his neck in 1946 & had been undergoing experimental treatment since that time.
Mr. Ruth, who was known by various nicknames, including "The Bambino" & "The Sultan of Swat", was 53 years old.
His body will lie in repose at Yankee Stadium, known as "The House That Ruth Built", & the funeral service will be held at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Burial will be in the Cemetery of the Gates of Heaven in Hawthorne, New York.
Grave of Babe Ruth
Cemetery of the Gates of Heaven
Hawthorne, New York
Photo by Anthony 22 (2004)
August 16, 1953
EDWARD E. "DOC" MOORE DEAD
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The personal secretary & close friend of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., Edward E. "Doc" Moore, died today here in Boston at the age of 76.
Moore had also served as secretary to 2 of Boston's mayors.
He is the namesake of Joseph P. & Rose F. Kennedy's son, Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy.
Mr. Moore is survived by his wife Mary.
August 16, 1956
ADLAI E. STEVENSON IS DEMOCRAT'S CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES....AGAIN
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) Adlai E. Stevenson of Libertyville, Illinois was chosen once again by the Democratic National Convention as their nominee for President of the United States.
Governor Stevenson, who was defeated by Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Election of 1952, will be the obvious underdog in his bid to deny President Eisenhower a 2nd term.
Stevenson won the nomination by a wide margin over contenders Governor Averill Harriman of New York & Senators Stuart Symington of New York & Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas.
Prior to the balloting, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts gave the nomination speech for Governor Stevenson.*
*Stevenson makes an unprecedented decision to allow the delegates to select his running mate for 1956.
Adlai E. Stevenson
www.archives@northwestern.edu
August 16, 1961
JFK SIGNS BASEBALL FOR HALL OF FAME
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, at a meeting with Representative Samuel S. Stratton of New York today, autographed a baseball for display at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
August 16, 1961
MAYOR OF WEST BERLIN WANTS ACTION BY USA
Berlin, West Germany (JFK+50) Willy Brandt, Mayor of West Berlin, called upon President Kennedy today to take "political action" in Berlin.
The Mayor said:
"Berlin expects not merely words but political action."*
*JFK had already sent General Bruce Clark, Commander of US Forces in Europe, to West Berlin to address the situation following the building of a wall by the East German government separating East Berlin from West Berlin.
JFK & Willie Brandt
March 13, 1961
Library of Congress Photo
August 16, 1780
CONTINENTALS IN RETREAT AT CAMDEN
Camden, South Carolina (JFK+50) Continental soldiers under General Horatio Gates were in retreat today after a humiliating defeat at the hands of the British army under General Lord Charles Cornwallis here in Camden, South Carolina.
The British, with fixed bayonets, charged the Patriot line killing more than 900 with a thousand more wounded.*
*The Battle of Camden is said to have been the "worst defeat ever inflicted upon an American army in battle."
A Re-enactment
