
Memphis Teenagers Two Weeks Before 9/11
On August 28, 2001, Memphis teenagers received a new issue of Teen Appeal. Nothing about that date seemed historic. The

On August 28, 2001, Memphis teenagers received a new issue of Teen Appeal. Nothing about that date seemed historic. The

Monday night in Memphis once meant wrestling. And on August 16, 1976, nearly 11,000 people showed up. A crowd of

If this Memphis summer feels hot, imagine going back fifty years to August 1976. The week of August 9 started

In 1926, a remarkable new technology was changing evenings in Memphis. Radio. Instead of leaving home for a theater or

Look at Beale Street today and its future can seem inevitable. It wasn’t. A photograph taken at Beale and Second in the early 70’s captures a very different street. Fifty years ago, the famous entertainment district was caught between its celebrated past and an uncertain future.

Imagine Memphis in July 1926. Temperatures climb into the 90s, the Mississippi River adds its familiar humidity—and your house probably doesn’t have air conditioning. So where did Memphians go? For many families, the answer was outside.

For decades, Memphis had wanted a permanent place in major-league professional sports. On July 17, 2001, it finally got one. NBA owners approved the relocation of the Vancouver Grizzlies to Memphis, officially transforming the team into the Memphis Grizzlies.

On July 5, 1976, almost 12,000 people packed the Mid-South Coliseum to see Elvis Presley come home. Nobody knew they were watching his final Memphis concert.

For generations of Memphians, the word Libertyland brings back memories of summer nights, roller coasters and the unmistakable clatter of the Zippin Pippin.
But fifty years ago, Libertyland wasn’t nostalgic. It was brand new.