Day in history for March 2, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

The admirable inaugural speech of President Pierce was received in town at 5:30 p.m. Monday. It will be read with unusual interest by all.

1878 -- 125 years ago

The travesty of ``Romeo and Juliet'' was repeated last night with great success.

1903 -- 100 years ago

The Rev. P.A. Edquist of Geneseo delivered a mission address in the chapel of Augustana College last evening.

1928 -- 75 years ago

The petition of Everett L. Wert, Oquawka, to withdraw from the Democratic district race for state representative, was held too late and his name was to be printed on ballots.

1953 -- 50 years ago

Rock Island firemen, in two petitions, asked Rock Island aldermen to reduce their work week from 78 to 60 hours, and increase the strength of the fire force. It was stated the 78-hour week exceeds the established reasonable work week of firemen throughout the nation. The petitions also declared the fire department, consisting of 41 men, is undermanned according to underwriter's figures for a city this size.

1978 -- 25 years ago

The familiar dime toll on Centennial Bridge may be going up for the first time since it opened July 12, 1940. Bridge commissioners plan to ask the Rock Island City Council to hike the present 10 cent fare. Bridge commissioners said the toll increase is necessary to ward off a sizable deficit that would accrue by 1979 without the added revenue.

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