100 years ago in Spokane: Interstate Fair prepares for speech by Democratic presidential nominee

The Interstate Fair was making preparations for the biggest attraction of all: The speech by Democratic presidential candidate James M. Cox in two days.

The usual admission charge was in effect, but admission to the grandstand, bleachers and race track was free in honor “of the distinguished visitor.”

As soon as his speech was over, the plan was to clear the grandstand and bleachers for the afternoon’s horse racing program.

Plans were being made to “wire” the speech all over the U.S.

From the fair beat: The big fireworks show at the Interstate Fair featured a “No-Man’s Land” battle theme, made even more realistic by the presence of Ermentrude, the World War I tank that was being used as an army recruiting attraction in Spokane.

Ermentrude’s guns blazed during the fireworks show, creating an “exceedingly realistic” scene.

From the census beat: Final 1920 census figures showed that Spokane was in 66th place among U.S. cities.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1892: An early version of “The Pledge of Allegiance,” written by Francis Bellamy, appeared in “The Youth’s Companion.”

It went: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

1974: President Gerald R. Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” to former President Richard Nixon covering his entire term in office.