Jim Kershner’s This day in history

From our archives, 50 years ago

Spokane was getting ready for what boosters called “the Inland Empire’s Greatest Outdoor Event”: the Spokane Rodeo Weekend.

The big Diamond Spur Rodeo was set to run for three days at the “cool, green, bright Memorial Stadium,” according to a full-page ad.

“Come a’hooting, pardner,” read the ad. “The Friendly City’s yours for rodeo week, bands playing, horses stepping lively, pretty girls to square-dance with. Parades will thrill you and the kids, when the stagecoaches roll and ponies prance.”

The ad promised that the fabulous Diamond Spur Rodeo is “where the cowboys win thousands of dollars and unique jewel-studded silver trophy spurs for outwitting wild outlaw horse and bulls.”

From the nightclub beat: Those interested in a different kind of wild outlaw thrill could turn to an ad for Allen’s Tin Pan Alley cocktail lounge, 412 W. Riverside Blvd. The ad showed a slinky burlesque queen below the words, “Catch the late, late show at 1:20 a.m.”

The music was provided by Beth Baker – “She Plays Her Marimba and Sings!”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1775: Benjamin Franklin became America’s first postmaster-general. … 1947: President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act, which established the National Military Establishment (later renamed the Department of Defense).