February 25th in Elvis History

It's February 25, and on this day in 1961…

Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington and Memphis Mayor Henry Loeb declared it officially “Elvis Presley Day.” At a hundred-dollar-a-plate charity luncheon at the Claridge Hotel, Elvis was honored by RCA with a diamond-studded watch and a commemorative plaque for surpassing 75 million records sold. He also received international awards from over a dozen countries and was named “Best Male Vocalist of 1960” by *American Bandstand*.

That evening, Elvis performed two benefit concerts at the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis—his first live performances in Memphis since 1957. Comedian George Jessel introduced him as “one of the greatest singer-actors of this century.” The shows raised over \$51,000 for 26 charities, including nearly \$4,000 for the Elvis Presley Youth Center in Tupelo.