📜This Week in Memphis History

After a long hiatus, our Newsletter is BACK. We have revamped it to include Weekly Memphis History Tidbits! Please Enjoy!

📅On This Week in Memphis History

1947 – Dan Bankhead’s Major League Debut
On August 26, 1947, Daniel “Dan” Bankhead, a right-handed pitcher who had starred for the Memphis Red Sox in the Negro Leagues, made his Major League Baseball debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ebbets Field. By taking the mound, he became the first Black pitcher in modern Major League Baseball.

1977 – Elvis Presley’s Funeral Procession Packs Midtown
On August 18th, 1977, more than 80,000 fans flooded the streets near Graceland and Whitehaven as Memphis said goodbye to Elvis Presley. This emotional day marked a pivotal chapter in both Memphis music and global music history.

1921 – The Peabody Hotel's Famous Ducks Arrive
Late August of 1921 saw the first ducks paddle into the fountain at the Peabody Hotel, launching a quirky tradition downtown that’s now part of every Memphian’s story and all Memphis history tours.

1993 – Tom Lee Park Named a City Landmark
On September 2, 1993, the city officially designated Tom Lee Park as a protected Memphis riverfront space, honoring the African-American hero Tom Lee who saved dozens from a steamboat tragedy. Today, it's a vital gathering spot downtown.

🎶🎶Music Moments

On September 1, 1962, Memphis changed music forever. That’s the day Booker T. & the MG’s dropped Green Onions — the gritty, soulful instrumental that would become one of the most recognizable tracks in American music history.

Recorded at Stax Records with a Hammond organ, sharp guitar licks, and that unmistakable groove, the song hit #1 on the R&B charts and cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

From Beale Street to jukeboxes across the world, Green Onions cemented Memphis as the heartbeat of soul.

🏀Sports Flashback

On August 27, 1975, a significant change occurred in the city’s professional basketball scene: the Memphis Sounds—then part of the American Basketball Association (ABA)—were officially purchased by a group led by David Cohan. This acquisition marked the end of the team’s Memphis tenure, as the franchise was relocated. The new team was moved to Baltimore to become the (ultimately unrealized) Baltimore Claws—making this the final official season for the Memphis Sounds.

📅Don’t Miss This Week in Memphis

• Peabody Rooftop Party Finale — Thursday, 6pm @ The Peabody Hotel: Dance to live DJ sets, see the "March of the Ducks," and toast the end of summer in Memphis history style.

• 901 Day — Celebrate your favorite city with tons of events all throughout the city.

• Free Concert at the Levitt Shell — August 29th at 7 pm go check out Bobby Rush & Rodd Bland and the Members Only Band at the Levitt Shell as apart of the Free Concert Series!

💡Sponsored Spotlight

This week’s newsletter is brought to you by…YOU! Thank you to all of our amazing followers who have stuck with us. We are excited to bring you more great content. If you are a business interested in being advertised across our audience of 90,000+ engaged Memphians—email us at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities with This is Memphis and connect your brand to city history!