Jim Kershner’s This day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Spokane was in the grip of Theodore Roosevelt fever.

The great man, who had been president from 1901 to 1909, swept across Spokane, waving to street throngs estimated at 50,000 and capping the day off with a rousing speech at the Armory.

He began his day by visiting some of his “old comrades” at Fort Wright. It was “Roosevelt in his element.”

Then he took an auto tour of the city, stopping at Cliff Park, where he climbed up to the viewpoint and listened attentively as local men pointed out the main landmarks. Then he raced over to the First Methodist Church and addressed a convention of teachers.

After that he stopped in at the construction site of the new Lewis and Clark High School, where a “vast throng” gathered to watch Roosevelt lay the cornerstone. Then he was off to address a noon meeting of the Chamber of Commerce.

Then came the day’s big event, a huge parade through the city’s downtown. Roosevelt’s auto was accompanied by marching soldiers, bands, Army veterans and Boy Scouts. The Spokesman-Review said it “had the spontaneity and force of an irresistible popular movement.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1946: The League of Nations assembled in Geneva for its final session.