BERLIN WALL CONSTRUCTION BEGAN 53 YEARS AGO TODAY
East Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) The government of communist East Germany announced fifty-three years ago today, August 13, 1961, that a wall was being constructed in order to permanently divide the eastern and western parts of Berlin.
East German guards were posted to stop anyone from crossing the border. While the wall was under construction, barbed wire was used to separate the two parts of the city.
REAGAN SIGNED ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT 33 YEARS AGO
Santa Barbara, California (JFK+50) President Ronald Reagan signed into law today, August 13, 1981, the Economic Recovery Tax Act.
The ERTA included a 25% reduction in individual marginal tax rates phased in over a 3 year period.
The ERTA combined with a 1986 tax cut reduced marginal tax rates on higher income taxpayers from 70 to 30%.
YANKEE SLUGGER MICKEY MANTLE DIED 19 YEARS AGO
Dallas, Texas (JFK+50) Former New York Yankee slugger, Mickey Mantle, died at Baylor University Hospital nineteen years ago today, August 13, 1995, of complications of liver cancer.
Mantle, who wore number seven and played center field most of his career, was born in Oklahoma in 1931. He joined the Yankees in 1951 at the age of 19 and retired in 1968.
Mickey Mantle was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.
"HOUND DOG" RECORDED BY BIG MAMA THORNTON 62 YEARS AGO
Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) Rhythm and Blues artist Ellie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton recorded the tune "Hound Dog" sixty-two years ago today, August 13, 1952.
Miss Thornton, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, made the first recording of the song written specifically for her by Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller.*
*Elvis Presley's version of "Hound Dog", recorded in 1956, is based on a rewritten version by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys who Elvis saw perform in Las Vegas.
East Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) The government of communist East Germany announced fifty-three years ago today, August 13, 1961, that a wall was being constructed in order to permanently divide the eastern and western parts of Berlin.
East German guards were posted to stop anyone from crossing the border. While the wall was under construction, barbed wire was used to separate the two parts of the city.
JFK at the Berlin Wall
June 26, 1963
Photo by Robert Knudsen
JFK Library Photo
REAGAN SIGNED ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT 33 YEARS AGO
Santa Barbara, California (JFK+50) President Ronald Reagan signed into law today, August 13, 1981, the Economic Recovery Tax Act.
The ERTA included a 25% reduction in individual marginal tax rates phased in over a 3 year period.
The ERTA combined with a 1986 tax cut reduced marginal tax rates on higher income taxpayers from 70 to 30%.
President and Mrs. Reagan
January 20, 1981
National Archives Photo
Dallas, Texas (JFK+50) Former New York Yankee slugger, Mickey Mantle, died at Baylor University Hospital nineteen years ago today, August 13, 1995, of complications of liver cancer.
Mantle, who wore number seven and played center field most of his career, was born in Oklahoma in 1931. He joined the Yankees in 1951 at the age of 19 and retired in 1968.
Mickey Mantle was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.
Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle (1961)
"HOUND DOG" RECORDED BY BIG MAMA THORNTON 62 YEARS AGO
Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) Rhythm and Blues artist Ellie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton recorded the tune "Hound Dog" sixty-two years ago today, August 13, 1952.
Miss Thornton, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, made the first recording of the song written specifically for her by Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller.*
*Elvis Presley's version of "Hound Dog", recorded in 1956, is based on a rewritten version by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys who Elvis saw perform in Las Vegas.
