Day in history for May 20, 2008

1858 -- 150 years ago
The various fire companies of Rock Island, Moline and Davenport will meet in Davenport to test the qualities of the engines in throwing water. The company which throws the highest stream will receive a trumpet. 1883 -- 125 years ago:

1908 -- 100 years ago
The contract for the new Best Building at 17th Street and 2nd Avenue, Rock Island, has been let. Work will begin soon. 1933 -- 75 years ago:

1958 -- 50 years ago
The Riviera Theater building 112 114 18th St., Rock Island, which was being razed following a major fire there March 28 was the scene of another spectacular blaze at 10:50 this morning. 1983 -- 25 years ago:

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Local events heading








  Today is Tuesday, May 21, the 141st day of 2013. There are 224 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: On Monday the 11th inst. on Center Ridge in Mercer County,some citizens got out their cannon to celebrate the taking of Richmond. The gun wasoverloaded and burst. No one was injured, but one 30-pound piece went though thesecond story of a house.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The old folks concert at the Harper Theater last night to benefit St.Luke's Cottage Hospital, attracted a large audience.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Unless depredation by vandals in Rock Island parks is halted,special policemen will be assigned to night duty to protect the flowers and other property.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Station WHBF has received a special citation from Washington forits participation in Air Mail Week, which was observed this week throughout the nation.
1963 -- 50 years ago: A 10-year high in employment in the Quad-City area was reachedat the end of the last quarter, according to an industrial employment barometer releasedtoday.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Pee Wee teams will be able to play baseball and softball as usualon Diamond Three at Dorrance Park this summer, but after that, the ball field is doomed.County crews have put the diamond back in shape after heavy trucks marred the playingfield earlier this spring. Illinois Department of Transportation crews drove onto it to makeborings for the relocation of the junction of Illinois 84 and the Port Byron-Hillsdale road.




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