On this day in 1948

Published

10 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.

News from the South - Florida News Feed

Long-range Russian attacks continue to kill Ukrainians amid ceasefire deadlock

Published

2 hours ago

May 10, 2025

Staff Editor

www.clickorlando.com – Illia Novikov, Associated Press – 2025-05-10 03:38:00

SUMMARY: Two months ago, the U.S. proposed a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, accepted by Ukraine but rejected by Russia, which feared it would aid Ukraine and Western allies. Since then, Russian attacks, including missile and drone strikes, have targeted civilian areas along the front line, killing at least 117 civilians and wounding over 1,000 in long-range assaults. Notable deadly attacks include strikes in Sumy, Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Kyiv, with many casualties including children. Despite brief Russian ceasefires for Easter and Victory Day, violations persisted. Ukraine continues drone attacks on Russian regions, including Moscow. Both sides remain engaged in intense conflict.

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The post Long-range Russian attacks continue to kill Ukrainians amid ceasefire deadlock appeared first on www.clickorlando.com

News from the South - Texas News Feed

Teens kidnap Las Vegas man, steal $4M in cryptocurrency: police

Published

7 hours ago

May 9, 2025

Staff Editor

www.kxan.com – David Charns – 2025-05-09 22:42:00

SUMMARY: Three teenagers, including Belal Ashraf and Austin Fletcher, both 16 from Florida, are charged with kidnapping a man at gunpoint near Las Vegas and stealing $4 million in cryptocurrency and NFTs. They forced the victim into their car, threatened him and his family, and demanded passwords to access his financial accounts. The victim was driven over 70 miles to a remote desert area, where he escaped on foot. Police tracked suspects from Florida to Nevada, linking weapons and social media evidence. The teens previously caused disturbances at their Florida high school. Bail was set at $4 million; FBI aided the investigation.

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The post Teens kidnap Las Vegas man, steal $4M in cryptocurrency: police appeared first on www.kxan.com

News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

Mail thieves hit Bellevue neighborhood

Published

7 hours ago

May 9, 2025

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – WKRN News 2 – 2025-05-09 22:08:32

SUMMARY: Mail thieves have been targeting a Bellevue neighborhood, primarily affecting elderly residents who often receive checks by mail. Police are investigating after a suspect’s car was caught on a Ring doorbell camera. The suspect may have bribed an unhoused person to steal mail, focusing on mailboxes with red flags raised, signaling outgoing checks. Neighbors like Rachel Sumner are speaking out to raise awareness and encourage community cooperation. Authorities advise handing mail directly to carriers or using post office lobbies to prevent theft. Mail theft is a federal crime with penalties up to five years in prison, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.