Fifty Years Ago Today, August 6, 1965

President Signs

Voting Rights Bill

President Johnson signed his monumental Negro voting rights bill today, treading the century-old path of Abraham Lincoln and declaring the new law is a triumph for freedom as great as any won on the battlefield.

Americus

Negroes began a march in large numbers to the Sumter County courthouse today, and leaders said they would not leave until all had been registered to vote.

Viet Nam Mail

The South Columbus Merchants Association has set in motion a plan for a mail service to soldiers in Viet Nam in an effort to boost their morale.

Paul D. Stewart, director of the merchants groups, emphasized that only optimistic, encouraging letters should be sent.

This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 11:10 AM with the headline "Fifty Years Ago Today, August 6, 1965 ."