Day in history for January 8, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

Our citizens were treated last evening to a fine serenade by the Moline band, which marched over to parade and play in Rock Island.

1879 -- 125 years ago

John B. Hawley of Rock Island, assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department, told the president's cabinet today that resumption of silver payments will bring a return of prosperity to the country.

1904 -- 100 years ago

Harry O. Ross, 21, of Davenport, is the latest person to break through the ice while crossing the Mississippi. He went through while nearing the Rock Island shore. He held on until a plank was pushed out to him.

1929 -- 75 years ago

A new era in aviation was envisioned as the Army airplane Question Mark completed a record-breaking endurance flight of 150 hours, 40 minutes.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Fines of $25 and costs were levied in Police Magistrate Clyde Fuller's court in East Moline against a father and mother charged with failure to keep their child in school.

1979 -- 25 years ago

When ice and snow coat driveways and sidewalks, homeowners usually think of spreading salt on the slippery patches. But the deep freeze that has gripped the Quad-Cities area for a week makes salt ineffective. So the city of Moline, and homeowners who want to be able to use their driveways, have been using something else instead. The city has been using cinders during the coldest weather.

Back: Available days in January 2004