Out of the past 7/4/13

1988

Cape Girardeans celebrate Independence Day with a roar and a bang at Arena Park, where the Jaycees' demolition derby is staged prior to the annual fireworks display.

A Cape Girardeau veteran of the Korean War has been chosen commander-in-chief of the American Legion's Southeast Missouri 10-county district; Homer Dickman was elected to the post during the recent 14th District meeting of the American Legion, held at Jackson.

1963

Cape Girardeau is filled with the sound of ringing bells at noon, when 15 churches and the State College carillon participate in a nationwide Make Freedom Bells Ring program.

Carnival rides, stock car races and a fireworks display entertain large crowds at the American Legion's Fourth of July celebration at Arena Park; more than 10,000 people are late in arriving, most going to the park in the evening.

1938

Under skies that almost blaze, Cape Girardeau celebrates its Fourth of July with visitors from throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois joining in; once again, the American Legion stages a tremendous picnic at Fairground Park, with from 15,000 to 25,000 persons in attendance; after viewing the fireworks, many couples enjoy free dancing on the municipal tennis courts.

G.F. Siemers, remembering Fourth of July celebrations of the past, recalls one held in 1887 at Gordonville; the festivities were held in the timber on the Ahrens place, where a large dance floor was built; music was provided by the Rowan string ensemble of Cape Girardeau; the crowd came early and stayed all day, consuming 60 kegs of beer, four barrels of lemonade and 80 cases of soda water.

1913

The fair association's two-day Independence Day celebration kicks off at the fairgrounds; the association has arranged for racing -- horses, mules, and motorcycles -- each afternoon, as well as an old-time barbecue; an orchestra provides dance music in the evening at the club house.

The Broadway Bums and Haarig baseball teams meet at the fairgrounds in the afternoon for the first time in three years; the Broadway boys trounce the lads from Haarig, 9-1.

-- Sharon K. Sanders