December 3

The devices exploded - nearly 90 minutes apart - as thousands of office and shop workers were arriving for work. Some of the crowds fleeing the first bomb, near Deansgate, were caught by the second explosion near the Cathedral. A police spokesman said: "It was a miracle that no-one was killed."

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 3, 1977

AN intervention by Bolton's community relations officer has prevented a possible clash between Muslims at a local Mosque. Mr Raymond Halliwell persuaded the leader of more than 100 rebels to call off a protest meeting at the Zakaria Mosque in Peace Street, off St Helens Road, Bolton. The protesters are angry about the sacking of their priest, who was at the Mosque for two years. They claim the mosque's nine-main executive committee dismissed the priest without giving sufficient reason.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 3, 1952

MR Andrew Carnegie, the American millionaire, was admitted a Freeman of the borough of Bolton on Sept. 29th, 1910. Mr Carnegie (1835-1919) was born in Scotland, and started his working life as a bobbin-boy in a cotton factory. He made his wealth in railways, oil, iron, steam ships and steel, and devoted himself to the work of providing money for social and educational advancement. Notable were his gifts for public libraries both in the United States and in Great Britain. By the end of 1918 he had erected 2,505 library buildings.

In Bolton he was the donor of the libraries at Astley bridge, Halliwell and Great Lever, and he gave Farnworth their fine public library in Bolton-rd. Mr Carnegie came to Bolton in connexion with the opening of his gift libraries, and whilst here was presented with an address of welcome and the Honorary Freedom of the borough.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

December 3, 1902

A DASTARDLY attempt to wreck the midnight Scotch express train was made at Darwen on Friday night. Two large pieces of timber and an iron rail had been placed on the line, the rail being fixed so that it would lift the express from the lines and throw it over a steep embankment. Alfred Kay, of Blackburn, a goods guard who prevented the catastrophe, in an interview said he was passing the spot where he found the obstruction six or seven minutes before the express was due.

It was the glare of the Darwen ironworks which enabled him to see the obstruction. He managed to give notice to the signalman, who set the signals against the train, which had just arrived at Darwen, only a short distance away. He also managed to remove the obstruction before the express came up.

The train is that which leaves Manchester Victoria at 12.40 for Glasgow, and the lines being clear in the night time it travels at high speed.