Echoes of the Past is a collection of historical articles curated from The Virginian Review and other publications archived since 1914. You may be exposed to content that you find offensive or objectionable. For historical purposes and accuracy, articles are reprinted in their original, unedited form, and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the publisher.
100 Years Ago
December, 1923
Hold Community Sing Tomorrow: Covington Band Will Furnish Music for Public Entertainment Tomorrow
Several hundred people are expected to attend the community sing which will be held in the Strand Theatre here at 3:30 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. The members of the different church choirs in the city will take part in the program as a part of the chorus.
The Covington Band will furnish the music for the occasion and carols will be practiced, which it is planned to sing at a Christmas Community Sing.
It is hoped by the promoters to make these community sings a regular feature of the city’s life, as it is believed that it is of great benefit and pleasure.
82 Years Ago
December 7, 1941
JAPS ATTACK HAWAII
Planes and Ships Move Against Pearl Harbor This P.M.: Washington Says Situation Involves Entire World in This War
Japanese airplanes today attacked American defense bases at Hawaii and Manila and President Roosevelt ordered the army and navy to carry out undisclosed orders prepared for the defense of the United States.
This terse announcement came from President Roosevelt immediately, but with it there could be no doubt that the Far Eastern situation had at last exploded, that the United States was at war, and that the conflict which began in Europe was spreading over the entire world.
50 Years Ago
December, 1973
Ford Defends Nixon
Vice President Gerald R. Ford rejects the idea that President Nixon’s Watergate troubles have made him a political liability to fellow Republicans.
Ford firmly defended the President at a news conference Friday less than 24 hours after he took his oath as the nation’s 40th vice president.
Many Republican lawmakers have privately expressed fears Nixon’s low rating in public opinion polls may rub off on them. However, Ford said, “If they had the opportunity to have the President appear, almost without exception they would be glad to have him.”
20 Years Ago
December, 2003
C.F. VFW Post 4299 Holds Pearl Harbor Remembrance
It was 62 years ago on December 7, 1941, at 7:55 a.m. at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese planes attacked the naval base and killed 2,390 service men and women. It severely damaged the U.S. Pacific Fleet stationed there.
The attack launched the United States into World War II.
Sunday members of Burnside Carpenter Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4299 in Clifton Forge remembered the attack with a special service at the Veterans Park on Main Street. In Hawaii, many servicemen attended a special service at the USS Arizona National Memorial to mark the anniversary of the surprise attack. The USS Arizona Memorial is the final resting place for 1,177 who died and whose bodies remain in the ship under the memorial platform.
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