This Week in History: 1963
Published 1:00 pm Thursday, June 19, 2025
Melissa Johnston
Leaders of the beef cattle industry of Alabama present Alabama beef steaks to Gov. George C. Wallace for his Father’s Day meal. Pictured are (left to right): President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association E.R. Howard, President of the Alabama CowBelles Association Mrs. E. H. Wilson, Wallace, Vice President of the Alabama CowBelles Association Mrs. Jim Adams and Executive Vice President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association E.H Wilson.
During this week in history in 1963, the Judge of Probate issued a proclamation for Father’s Day. News of the declaration graced the pages of the June 12,1963 issue of The Luverne Journal with other articles covering what was happening for the students of Crenshaw County.
Proclamation boosts use of beef for Fathers’ Day
To celebrate Fathers’ Day, Judge of Probate John Mc McSwean proclaimed beef to be the traditional dish for the holiday. The declaration was made in collaboration with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, and the members of the Alabama CowBelles Association, in part with a campaign to sell and serve beef for the upcoming Father’s Day on June 16.
In the proclamation, McSwean noted that beef cattle produces an annual cash income of approximately $100 million, and that Alabama ranks 16th among all states in total number of beef cows.
To commemorate the proclamation, leaders of the beef cattle industry of Alabama presented steaks to Gov. George C. Wallace for Father’s Day.
Dozier Student receives award in home economics
Melissa Johnston, a junior student at Dozier High School, was awarded the Crisco trophy for outstanding work in Home Economics. The award was presented to Johnsto by Hazel Rawls, who congratulated the student on “the excellence she has shown in her work.”
Good enrollment noted in Summer reading class
Twenty-five elementary school students and 10 teenagers enrolled in the Luverne Public Library’s 1963 Summer Reading Program.
The program was split between junior high school students, who were joining the Way-Out Reading Club, and elementary school students, who were seeking membership in the Astronaut’s Reading Club.
The Journal article listed children enrolled in the Summer Reading Program alongside which club they were seeking membership in.
Children were tasked with reading a book a week to earn their membership pins. Once completed, the students would be recognized at convocations during the fall school term.
Trophies were also presented to the outstanding readers in each age group.
