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50 years ago
President David O. McKay boarded a train on his 81st birthday to travel to Chicago where he received a special honor, according to the Sept. 11, 1954, Church News.
The article noted that his journey beginning Wednesday, Sept. 8, took him to receive honorary membership in the International College of Surgeons two days later.
It stated: "When President McKay reached Chicago Thursday morning he attended a session of the 19th Annual Congress of the United States and Canadian Section of the International College of Surgeons, at which his son Dr. Edward R. McKay of Salt Lake City was a speaker. Mrs. McKay attended a luncheon at noon planned for the wives of the convention delegates and honored guests."
The article continued: "In informing President McKay of his selection for honorary membership, Dr. Mak Thorek, international secretary, wrote it was 'for your outstanding achievement and for your contributions to science and the welfare of mankind.' Notice of his selection for the honor by the International Board of Trustees came from Dr. Thorek by order of President Prof. Dr. Rudolph Nissen of Basel, Switzerland."
Earlier on his birthday, President McKay was honored by family and Church employees at the Church offices.
