1896
Great Day at Middletown
Largest Draw Span Bridge in the World Now Bridges the Connecticut River.
(Special Dispatch to the Transcript.)
Middletown, Conn., April 15.–At exactly 10 o’clock this morning the new Connecticut river bridge between Middletown and Portland, the largest draw span in the world was opened to traffic. Governor Coffin was present and walked across the bridge. Every bell and every whistle on either side the river sounded, and the event was witnessed by 7000 persons.
From the North Adams Transcript (North Adams, Mass.), Wednesday, April 15, 1896.
1961
Blackface Omitted
Middletown, April 15–(UPI) The Rotary club announced today its annual blackface minstrel show next Saturday will be changed to a variety show because of objections raised by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
From The Bridgeport Post (Bridgeport, Connecticut), Saturday, April 15, 1961.