It's June 1st, and on this day in 1938, Vernon Presley arrived at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman to begin serving his sentence for a forgery conviction. The charges stemmed from Vernon and two other men altering a check for a mere five dollars. While Vernon was incarcerated, he faced grueling labor, spending his days working in the prison's cotton, corn, and sugarcane fields under harsh conditions, where guards reportedly used whips.
In 1958, Elvis, dressed in full military uniform, took the time to explain his army insignia to fans outside Graceland, providing a glimpse into his life as a soldier during his time in the U.S. Army. It was a rare moment of connection between Elvis and his adoring fans during his military service.
This day also marked several memorable performances, from a 1955 show at the High School Auditorium in Guymon, Oklahoma, to a surprise appearance at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis in 1956, where Elvis joined the likes of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Warren Smith onstage.
