This was Brainerd

20 years ago (1989)

Whistles and applause accompanied the fountains of light in a sky so calm and clear that smoke hydras hung long after the colors died. Some 40,000 people oohed and aahed over the largest fireworks display yet at the Brainerd-Baxter July Fourth spectacular.

30 years ago (1979)

July Fourth fireworks spread to the streets in Crosby, when a dispute between local residents and carnival workers spread from a pizza parlor to a full-scale riot hours later. Witnesses said the argument may have involved the affections of two local girls.

40 years ago (1969)

Three men were wounded at the Launching Pad dance hall parking lot when a man, said to be from a motorcycle gang, opened fire with a pistol. One victim is in critical condition with shots to the abdomen, one wounded in the thigh, and the other shot in the knee.

60 years ago (1949)

Doctors late Saturday afternoon removed an open safety pin from the throat of the seven-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M.A. Forsberg. She had swallowed the pin accidentally while playing with dolls and doll blankets.

80 years ago (1929)

George Babcock, of New York, is a parachute jumper who will demonstrate a delayed opening of his chute at the Brainerd Air Meet at Rosko Field. He falls like a rocket hundreds of feet before pulling his cord.

100 years ago (1909)

Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Reilly left today for Portland and Seattle, where they will attend the Yukon and Alaska Exposition. Mr. Reilly goes as delegate from Brainerd Lodge 615 to the national convention of Elks.

-Compiled by Terry McCollough