Tag: throwback

Daily Throwback @ The Pie!

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On February 6th, 1982, a group of civil rights activists and supporters began a significant 140 mile protest march from the Pickens County Courthouse in Carrollton, Alabama, to the state capitol in Montgomery. This event, often called the Carrollton to Montgomery March (or Pilgrimage), marked a key moment in the ongoing struggle for voting rights in the United States during the early 1980s.

The march was organized primarily by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), led by Rev. Joseph Lowery (its president at the time), along with support from other civil rights groups and leaders. It was a direct response to the controversial conviction and imprisonment of two Black women activists from Pickens County:

Maggie Bozeman, a 51 year old teacher and local NAACP chapter president.

Julia Wilder, a 69 year old SCLC officer.

In 1979, these women (known as the “Carrollton Two”) were convicted of voter fraud by an all white jury for helping elderly, illiterate Black voters mark their ballots during an election. Many viewed the charges as retaliatory and racially motivated, part of broader efforts to suppress Black political participation in rural Alabama. The women began serving their sentences in January 1982 after appeals failed, prompting outrage and calls for justice. Their case highlighted persistent barriers to voting despite the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The march deliberately echoed the historic 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, with participants re-enacting parts of that route and crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma around Valentine’s Day (February 14th), where thousands gathered.

By the time marchers reached Montgomery on February 18th & 19th, 1982, the crowd had grown to an estimated 3,500–5,000 people rallying at the state capitol steps. Chanting, singing freedom songs and speeches emphasized unity and persistence.

This march stands as one of the longest civil rights pilgrimages in the South since 1965, symbolizing continued resistance against voter suppression in the post-Civil Rights era.

Daily Throwback @ The Pie!

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On May 24th, 1989, moviegoers were treated to the premiere of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the third chapter in Steven Spielberg and George Lucas’ beloved adventure saga. This film brought back Harrison Ford as the whip-cracking archaeologist Indiana Jones, joined by Sean Connery as his scholarly yet stubborn father, Henry Jones Sr. Their quest for the Holy Grail, pursued against the backdrop of Nazi schemes, delivered a perfect blend of high-stakes action, witty banter and emotional depth.

With a budget of $48 million, The Last Crusade grossed over $474 million globally, cementing its status as a box-office juggernaut. Its release was a cultural event, drawing fans to theaters for Indy’s latest globe-trotting escapade. The film’s breathtaking set pieces (like the tank chase in the desert (filmed in Almería, Spain) and the perilous Grail temple trials) kept audiences on the edge of their seats.

Critics lauded the film for its fast-paced storytelling and the electric chemistry between Ford and Connery. With a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s often cited as one of the strongest entries in the franchise. Reviewers praised its balance of humor, heart, and adventure, with Connery’s performance as the bookish but brave Henry Jones Sr. stealing many scenes.

The Last Crusade remains a fan favorite for its mix of swashbuckling heroism and personal stakes, exploring Indy’s relationship with his father. Iconic moments, like Indy’s leap of faith or the “No ticket!” train scene, are etched in pop culture history. The film’s themes of family, faith and perseverance resonate as strongly today as they did in 1989.

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Daily Throwback @ The Pie!

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On May 19th, 1999, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace hit US cinemas, marking the highly anticipated return of the Star Wars franchise after a 16-year gap since Return of the Jedi.

Directed by George Lucas, the film introduced fans to a new prequel trilogy, diving into the origins of Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi Order and the Sith.

With groundbreaking visual effects, including extensive CGI and the iconic podracing sequence, it was a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $924 million worldwide.

Despite mixed reviews (praised for its visuals but criticized for pacing and characters like Jar Jar Binks) it remains a pivotal moment in sci-fi cinema.

Daily Throwback @ The Pie!

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On May 18th, 1980, Mount St. Helens, a stratovolcano in Washington State, erupted with a force that reshaped the landscape and left a lasting mark on history. After two months of ominous rumblings (earthquakes, steam venting and a growing bulge on its northern flank) the volcano unleashed its fury in a series of three explosive eruptions within 24 hours. This catastrophic event not only altered the region’s geography but also taught scientists and communities about the raw power of nature.

For weeks, Mount St. Helens had been signaling unrest. Starting in mid-March 1980, seismographs detected thousands of small earthquakes, indicating magma movement beneath the volcano. By late March, steam and ash began venting and a noticeable bulge on the north side grew at an alarming rate of up to 6 feet per day. Geologists warned of an imminent eruption, leading to evacuations and restricted access zones. Despite these precautions, the scale of what was to come was unimaginable.

At 8:32 a.m. on May 18th, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered a massive landslide on the north flank, releasing the pressure of the bulging magma chamber. The result was a lateral blast, one of the most powerful in recorded volcanic history, which obliterated everything in its path for 230 square miles. Trees were flattened, rivers choked with debris and a plume of ash soared 15 miles into the atmosphere.

The initial blast was followed by two more eruptions within 24 hours, each sending additional ash and pyroclastic flows across the region. The ash cloud spread across the United States, with deposits reaching as far as the Midwest, disrupting air travel and blanketing communities in a gritty, gray haze.

For local communities, the eruption was a humbling reminder of nature’s unpredictability. Memorials and visitor centers, like the Johnston Ridge Observatory, now stand as tributes to those lost and as educational hubs for future generations.

The May 18th, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens remains one of the most studied volcanic events in history. It underscored the importance of preparedness and respect for natural forces, leaving a legacy that continues to inform science and policy today. As we reflect on that fateful day, we’re reminded of both the destructive power of the Earth and its capacity for renewal.