Day in history for August 19, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

Workmen in Rhode Island have agreed with their employers on a short work week of 69 hours, or 11 1/2 hours a day. In Massachusetts and Connecticut mills, it is customary at this season for employees to work not less than 13 hours a day.

1878 -- 125 years ago

Charles Bloom, night clerk at the Harper House, is creating a card showing the time of arrival and departure of all trains entering Rock Island.

1903 -- 100 years ago

The Rock Island City Council is taking measures to prevent the waste of water at schools and other public institutions.

1928 -- 75 years ago

Port Byron today opened a centennial celebration.

1953 -- 50 years ago

Newspaper carriers demonstrated how sharp they were at hitting porches with papers as the Rock Island County Fair got under way at Illiniwek Preserve near Hampton. It was the first time in the fair's history that a newspaper-throwing contest had been held. The rules were based on those used at the Illinois State Fair, where the contest is an annual affair.

1978 -- 25 years ago

Herb Liljegren thinks of himself these days as ``The Last of the Mohicans.'' Herb, 86, says he's the last living businessman to have operated a store on 3rd Avenue in Moline before World War I. ``There aren't many of us old guys left around town anymore,'' says Liljegren, viewing progress on the city's 5th Avenue redevelopment project.

Back: Available days in August 2003