Day in history for August 20, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

A mass meeting was held at Cambridge to whip up excitement for a branch of the proposed Western Air-Line Railroad from Lacon through Cambridge to Rock Island. Citizens promised to buy at least $50,000 in stock.

1879 -- 125 years ago

At a debate before the Euelpsis Club, the subject argued was: ''Resolved, that his country was more advanced intellectually and morally 100 years ago than now.'' Debaters were L.W. Beal, F.E. Compton, Fred Osborne and M. McIniry.

1904 -- 100 years ago

``An Aristocratic Tramp'' and ''Two Little Waifs'' are the next plays to be presented by traveling stock companies at the Illinois Theater.

1929 -- 75 years ago

The Graf Zeppelin, a German airship on a flight around the world, will pass over the Quad-Cities as it crosses the continent from west to east.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Marvin Mueller, a 25-year-old Reynolds farmer, was named ''Good Neighbor of 1954'' during ceremonies on the rain-drenched Rock Island County Fairgrounds north of Hampton. Mr. Mueller is known to always be at hand to lend help.

1979 -- 25 years ago

A spectacular thunderstorm overnight dropped 2 to 4.7 inches of rain on the already saturated Quad-Cities area, flooding numerous homes and businesses, spawning mud slides, and washing out bridges. And more rain, some locally heavy, is forecast for tonight, the fourth straight night, and Tuesday.

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