Day in history for July 2, 2001

1876 -- 125 years ago

For some days past, boys have occasionally been exploding firecrackers in the alley near the Harper House stables, and on Saturday Mrs. Blocker, wife of one of the coach drivers, discovered a blazing fire in the alley close to the stable, caused by firecrackers.

1901 -- 100 years ago

The alumni association of the Gustus School of Business held its annual reunion at the Watch Tower, 200 attending.

1926 -- 75 years ago

A crowd, estimated at 5,000 people, motored to the Moline Airport to witness the lighting for the first time of the neon tubes, the first of their kind to be installed in the United States.

1951 -- 50 years ago

Yellow margarine went on sale over grocery counters in Rock Island and throughout the state for the first time yesterday. Illinois homemakers can now buy margarine colored, ready for the table. There will be no more mixing color into white margarine.

1976 -- 25 years ago

Moline and East Moline chambers of commerce agreed to merge in an unusual gesture of cooperation between the cities, which have long spurned consolidation suggestions and sometimes bickered openly. The consolidated group will become the Chamber of Commerce of Upper Rock Island County. Mayors of the two cities expressed support for the merger and congratulated the chambers on reaching agreement. Some observers viewed the successful merger as a starting place for future consolidation of government services in the area.

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