Joe Louis (b. May 13, 1914)

Happy birthday, Joe Louis!

Born Joseph Louis Barrow on this day in Alabama. Louis's family, shaken by the Ku Klux Klan and moves to Detroit, Michigan in 1926, forming part of the post-World War I Great Migration. The family settles into a home at 2700 Catherine Street (aka Madison Street in 2012) in Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood.

Within a few years, the Depression hits the Barrow family hard, but as an alternative to gang activity, Joe spends time at a local youth recreation center at 637 Brewster Street in Detroit^. Legend will tell that he tried to hide his pugilistic ambitions from his mother by carrying his boxing gloves inside his violin case. In his time as a fighter, Joe Louis will have 72 fight, knock out 54 opponents, endure three defeats, and hold the championship for 12 consecutive years (the longest span for a heavyweight titleholder).

The 24-foot bronze status of his fist has become emblematic of Detroiters' identity as hard-working people who, if they come by success, come by it honestly.

Thanks to the Detroit News

Wrigley's gives pleasant, regular aid to your teeth - May 5, 1914

Thanks to magazineart.org

"The 'Seal of Purity' makes every package of Wrigley's Spearmint a perfect humidor." "I keep my cigars perfect in an air-tight box. This beneficial tidbit is kept perfect with an air-tight seal." Keep this always fresh, delicious, beneficial tidbit always handy. Give pleasant, regular aid to your teeth, breath, appetite, digestion. Look for the spear. Buy it by the box for 85 cents--at most dealers. Each box contains twenty 5 cent packages. They stay fresh until used. Chew it after every meal. It's clean, pure, healthful if it's Wrigley's.

Budweiser spells temperance - May, 1914

Perhaps he doth protest too much?

Thanks to magazineart.org

Bismarck--the "Greatest of the Germans". Bismarck, like all Germans, prized Personal Liberty as the breath of life--a NATURAL RIGHT to be guarded and defended at any cost. Among our millions of law-abiding German-American citizens there is not a man who does not consider it insolent tyranny of the odious kind for any legislation to issue this command: "Thou shalt NOT eat this--thou shalt NOT drink that." Germans know that there is no evil in the light wines and beers of their fathers. EVIL ONLY IS IN THE MAN WHO MISES THEM. Fifty-seven years ago, ANHEUSER-BUSCH founded their great institution upon the tenet of the Constitution of the United States. During these fifty-seven years they have honestly brewed an honest beer--the kind that has added to the temperance of nations. Their great brand--BUDWEISER--is demanded throughout the world. Its sales exceed any other beer by millions of bottles, proving it to be in a class by itself.