25 years ago: May 25, 1981

Memorial Day is observed in Cape Girardeau.

A number of residents are on hand for annual Memorial Day services at Memorial Park, an event sponsored by the Joint Veterans Council; Michael A. Price, a Cape Girardeau attorney, delivers the address.

Members of the Cape Girardeau NAACP Chapter march in a parade, emphasizing slain civil rights leaders and the tragedy surrounding the murders of 27 black youths in Atlanta, Ga.; the parade starts at Capaha Park and ends at the Common Pleas Courthouse.

50 years ago: May 25, 1956

In use for only the second commencement exercises after its completion, the auditorium of the new Central High School proved inadequate last night to seat the crowd of friends and relatives who attended the ceremony, in which 114 pupils were graduated.

Saint Francis Hospital has received a Ford Foundation check for $29,400 which is half of the foundation's grant to help the hospital improve and extend its services to the community; about $25,000 of this amount will be used in making improvements in the x-ray department.

75 years ago: May 25, 1931

Dashing from police headquarters at 11:30 a.m., a 17-year-old youth, whose parole had just been revoked, is chased four blocks before being captured by police chief Jesse Crafton after a heated foot race.

President Joseph A. Serena delivered the annual sermon at the baccalaureate service of the Teachers College's 58th commencement yesterday; the largest crowd ever to attend the annual service filled the auditorium, including extra chairs arranged in the back.

100 years ago: May 25, 1906

E.W. Flentge returned to Cape Girardeau last night from a trip through several Missouri congressional districts in the interest of his candidacy for the Republican nomination for railroad and warehouse commissioner.

The Cape Girardeau chapter of the Women's Relief Corps wins the biggest honor granted any of the corps in the state; the local ladies are awarded a banner at the convention in Jefferson City, Mo., recognizing the chapter that performed the best and most work during the year.

-- Sharon K. Sanders