LITTLE ROCK — 100 YEARS AGO Jan. 1, 1913

Little Rock at the stroke of 12 o’clock last night bade the infant new year, 1913, welcome. Many were the resolutions contemplated, but the blare of horns, tooting of whistles and the explosion of fireworks made it almost impossible to carry them into effect until 12:10 or even later, such was the din. Watch parties were held at several churches, families met together and there were celebrations at the hotels.

50 YEARS AGO Jan. 1, 1963

Arkansas is leading the South in the number of new factory jobs per capita since 1955 and is one of the top states in the nation in this, according to a 7-year summary of Industrial progress released today by the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission.The AIDC survey also remarked that the value of Manufactured goods in Arkansas is now exceeding that of agricultural products.

25 YEARS AGO Jan. 1, 1988

The incineration of lethal nerve gas will begin at the Pine Bluff Arsenal about 1990, Col. Richard W. Smith, Arsenal commanding officer, said Thursday. Smith said about 12 percent of the nation’s total stockpile of old chemical weapons, an estimated 25,000 tons, are stored at the arsenal. The exact number of chemical weapons is “still classified,” he said. Some at the arsenal are “World War II vintage,” he said, but the majority range from 20 to 25 years of age. Smith said non-lethal “BZ,” a chemical manufactured to incapacitate rather than kill, will be burned first at the arsenal.

10 YEARS AGO Jan. 1, 2003

Today becomes the first full day when all checked baggage will undergo screening for explosives at Little Rock National Airport, Adams Field. Transportation Security Administration employees spent Tuesday testing the screening equipment, spot-checking baggage and working through last minute snafus before the midnight deadline to have all checked baggage screened for explosives. “We’re going to meet the deadline,” said Jerry Henderson, the top Transportation Security Administration official in Arkansas.

Arkansas, Pages 8 on 01/01/2013