CAMILLE BOHANNON
On this day in 1987, U.S, President Ronald Reagan challenged Soviet
Premier Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. It was 29
months later when Gorbachev allowed Berliners to destroy the wall.
On September 12,1990, now-former President Reagan returned
to Berlin with wife Nancy, where he personally took a few
symbolic hammer swings at a remnant of the Berlin Wall.
On this day in 1963, Civil rights leader Medgar Evers was fatally
shot in front of his home in Jackson, MS.
Medgar Wiley Evers (July 2, 1925 – June 12, 1963)
Byron De La Beckwith was accused of killing civil rights activist
Medgar Evers in 1963. After two trials had hung juries in 1964,
he was finally convicted of the crime in 1994. He received a life
sentence in prison where he died on January 21, 2001 at the age
of 80.
On 12 June 1978, Berkowitz was sentenced to 25 years to life in
prison for each murder, to be served consecutively. The Serial
killer had terrorized the streets of New York City for over a year.
killing six people and leaving seven others severely injured. He
was being called the .44 Caliber Killer at the time.
David Richard Berkowitz turned 65 on June 1.
In 1987, Berkowitz claimed to have become an evangelical Christian while
in prison. According to his personal testimony, his moment of conversion
occurred after reading Psalm 34:6 from a Bible given to him by a fellow
inmate. He says he is no longer to be referred to as the "Son of Sam"
but the "Son of Hope".
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum was dedicated in Cooperstown, New York on this day in 1939.
This famous photo from the 1939 Hall of Fame dedication ceremony
is missing Ty Cobb, who received more votes than any other player
in the first election.
