Out of the past 7/4/12

25 years ago: July 4, 1987

The Avenue of Flags, displayed for the second time today for Independence Day at the County Park, will be expanded before the Veteran's Day display in November.

The Mississippi Queen uses a strong finish to beat the smaller Delta Queen across the finish line and keep the Golden Antlers trophy in a Great Steamboat Race highlighting the second day of the St. Louis Veiled Prophet Fair; both boats will dock in Cape Girardeau tomorrow.

50 years ago: July 4, 1962

The Fourth of July observance in Cape Girardeau began yesterday evening at Arena Park, when the American Legion picnic opened; included in the festivities, which continue today, are carnival rides, concessions, amusement booths, stock car races and a big fireworks finale; this is about the 40th year the Legion has hosted the Independence Day picnic.

Many area residents seek relief from 100-degree weather in the shade of Capaha, Dennis Scivally, and Twin Trees parks; 1,352 persons visit Trail of Tears State Park.

75 years ago: July 4, 1937

Union worship services are inaugurated in the evening under the sponsorship of the Ministerial Alliance; preaching at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church is the Rev. Ira D. Crewdson, pastor of First Christian Church; in previous years, the summer series was held in Courthouse Park.

Frederick L. Schneider begins work as a probationary patrolman in the Cape Girardeau Police Department; Schneider, 26, will mainly serve as a desk officer and police radio operator at night.

100 years ago: July 4, 1912

Despite the fact that the big biplane doesn't fly, a large crowd of around 7,000 people enjoys the Independence Day celebration at Fairgrounds Park; the well-behaved spectators enjoyed a baseball game, band concerts, an automobile parade, patriotic songs and addresses, harness and running races, dancing and a great fireworks display.

Fearing rain, Cape Girardeau's black residents, who had intended giving a picnic at Marble Heights, decide to have their Fourth of July celebration in the black Masonic hall; the festivities end in the evening with speeches by L.R. Johnson and Orren Wilson.

-- Sharon K. Sanders