Presidential wins: 1900-2016
Covering William McKinley’s thrashing of William Jennings Bryan, the Daily News published the headline, “DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING DROP? The Landslide Slid with a Great Crash.”
We recently collected our 30 front pages from the presidential elections from 1900-2016.
» SEE THEM ALL: How Dayton covered presidential elections
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Wright brothers first flight: Dec. 17, 1903
While the Dayton Evening Herald painted a vivid picture of the Wright brothers’ first flight, an early edition of the Dayton Daily News published just the barest of facts.
Under a headline, “THE WRIGHT BOYS ARE COMING HOME” an underwhelming brief with a Norfolk, Va. dateline was published in the Dec. 19 edition.
“Orville and Wilbur Wright, inventors of the “Wright Flyer,” which made several successful flights near here Thursday, left today for their home in Dayton, O., to spend Christmas with their parents.”
» READ MORE: When the Wright brothers shocked the world (and the media flubbed it)
Dedication of Memorial Hall: Jan. 5, 1910
A grand dedication was held for Montgomery County’s Memorial Hall during the first week of January in 1910.
The event was front page news for the city’s newspapers. The Dayton Daily News reported “another red letter day has been added to the chronology of the Gem City for … one of the grandest pieces of architecture of which any city in this land can boast.”
» READ MORE: A 'palace of peace': When Dayton opened its grand, revering Memorial Hall
Credit: Mixed
Credit: Mixed
Dedication of the Dayton Art Institute: Jan. 7, 1930
As the new Dayton Art Institute opened its doors in 1930 the entire city celebrated.
Great fanfare went along with the dedication of the new museum that overlooked the Great Miami River and the city from its perch at Riverview and Forest Avenues.
“Into the handsome edifice, which genius has created as a palace to art, passed 800 admiring persons who came to worship at the shrine…” reported the Dayton Daily News.
» READ MORE: When the community chipped in to open the Dayton Art Institute
First Soap Box Derby: Aug. 19, 1933
The first-ever Soap Box Derby, held on steep and brick-paved Burkhardt Avenue, was conceived by Myron E. “Scottie” Scott, a Dayton Daily News photographer.
Scott had run across a few boys coasting homemade vehicles on Hilltop Avenue in Oakwood and, inspired by their ingenuity, organized a race the following weekend.
The wooden cars, in all shapes and sizes, paraded along supported by “wheels from baby carriages, wagons, bicycles, tricycles, wheel-barrows, automobiles and even kiddie cars,” according to a story describing the scene in the Dayton Daily News.
» READ MORE: Did you know: This world-famous event was first held in Dayton
Credit: Dayton Daily News Archive
Credit: Dayton Daily News Archive
Orville Wright’s funeral: Jan. 30, 1948
The death of Orville Wright, who achieved the first powered, sustained airplane flight with his brother Wilbur, resonated around the world.
Wright died in his sleep at Miami Valley Hospital on Jan. 30, 1948, four days after suffering a heart attack at his laboratory on North Broadway Street.
“I have known Orville Wright for almost 50 years,” wrote James M. Cox, the publisher of the Dayton Daily News. “Others more acquainted with the sciences than I can better speak of his genius, but my admiration for the fine qualities of his character has amounted almost to a reverence. History will give him equal rank with his brother, Wilbur.”
» READ MORE: How Dayton came to a standstill to honor the 1948 death of Orville Wright
The Rolling Stones at Hara Arena: ‘Boys Bomb Again’ on Nov. 13, 1964
The Rolling Stones held their first concert in Dayton in 1964.
Apparently, it was horrible.
“Boys Bomb Again” read the subhead of a concert review written by Gee Mitchell, the Dayton Daily News amusements editor.
Mitchell’s review began: “The Rolling Stones gathered neither moss nor customers in Dayton last night.”
» READ MORE: The night The Rolling Stones bombed in Dayton
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