10 years ago

From the Journal Tribune: “David Ortiz’s fans cheered him and his teammates hugged him. Even the ace pitcher who gave up the slugger’s record-breaking homer was happy for him. Boston’s designated hitter homered against Johan Santana in the first inning to pass Jimmie Foxx’s team record of 50 set in 1938 and added his 52nd drive in the seventh to help the Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 6-0 Thursday night.”

50 years ago

From the Biddeford-Saco Journal: “All hope of landing America’s Surveyor 2 spacecraft gently on the moon disappeared today when scientists decided ‘there’s not enough power left in the battery to complete the mission.’ ‘We just kissed it goodbye,’ a spokesman for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory said early today.”

100 years ago

From the Biddeford Daily Journal: “Emile Danjou, the electrician, who lives at 39 Oak street, had a thrilling experience Thursday evening while trying to get the best of a fire which resulted from a lamp exploding in an attic room of his home. Seeing that he could not stop the fire, he tried to get some of his belongings, including a watch valued at $35 which was a present from a relative, and how he managed to escape from the room is more than he can tell.”

— Marissa Heffernan