By Ann Boutwell
February 1969: National Geographic Magazine featured a 36-page spread by William S. Ellis – “Atlanta: Pacesetter City of the South.” Focusing on the city’s new modern age, the article featured Peachtree Center and Merchandise Mart, the Commerce Club as the power place to lunch and negotiate political agreements, Ralph McGill’s daily column as the voice of southern liberalism and the Dogwood Festival was held downtown.
Feb 4, 1892: The body of legendary journalist and orator Henry W Grady (1850-1889) was moved from Oakland Cemetery and re-interred at the handsome new family vault in Westview Cemetery.
Feb. 4, 1968: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his renowned sermon “The Drum Major Instinct” at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Two months later on April 8, grieving attendees heard the taped voice of Dr. King delivering his own eulogy: “If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. And every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize – that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards – that’s not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. I’d like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others.”
Feb. 6, 1974: Concert promoter Alex Cooley presented comedian Lily Tomlin in character as Ernestine, the “ringy dingy” telephone operator, at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Tickets ranged form a whopping $4.50 to $5.50.
Feb. 10, 1976: President Gerald Ford issued a statement urging Americans to join in observing February as Black History Month. Roots of Black History Month began with Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, the son of former slaves who held a doctorate from Harvard University. In 1915, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Many dedicated African American educators at Atlanta University, Clarke College, Morehouse, Morris Brown, and Spelman played a vital role in the group’s mission to study and promote Black History. 2011 marks the 85th observance of Black History Month.
Feb. 25, 1937: At New York’s Hotel Astor, Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind was give the most distinguished novel award for 1937 by the 600-member American Booksellers Association. February 2011 marks the beginning of the 75th anniversary of Gone With the Wind in Atlanta and Jonesboro. It begins with a new book by Ellen Brown and John Wiley titled Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind: A Bestseller’s Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood.
