Today is Thursday, Aug. 7, the 219th day of 2003. There are 146 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Thursday, Aug. 7, the 219th day of 2003. There are 146 days left in the year. On this date in 1942, U.S. forces land at Guadalcanal, marking the start of the first major allied offensive in the Pacific during World War II.
In 1782, George Washington creates the Order of the Purple Heart, a decoration to recognize merit in enlisted men and noncommissioned officers. In 1912, the Progressive Party nominates Theodore Roosevelt for president. In 1927, the Peace Bridge between the United States and Canada is dedicated during ceremonies attended by the Prince of Wales and Vice President Charles Dawes. In 1934, the U.S. Court of Appeals upholds a lower court ruling striking down the government's attempt to ban the controversial James Joyce novel "Ulysses." In 1959, the United States launches Explorer 6, which sends back a picture of the Earth. In 1964, Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin resolution, giving President Johnson broad powers in dealing with reported North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. forces. In 1974, French stuntman Philippe Petit walks a tightrope strung between the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center. In 1989, a plane carrying Congressman Mickey Leland, D-Texas, and 15 others disappears over Ethiopia. The wreckage of the plane is found six days later; there were no survivors. In 2000, Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore selects Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman to be the first Jewish vice presidential candidate on a major party ticket.
August 7, 1978: Calling him the implementer of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, Bishop James W. Malone of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown leads the area's mourning for Pope Paul VI, who died at his summer home near Rome.
The nation's first active enforcement of a federal law against classroom segregation of handicapped students goes into effect in Pennsylvania. The Least Restrictive Environment program requires school districts to place exceptional students in conventional classes unless it is proven that the move is contrary to a child's best interest.
Five separate fires are set inside St. Dominic School, causing extensive smoke and fire damage to the school. Three firemen are taken to hospitals near collapse from heat exhaustion while fighting the blaze.
August 7, 1963: The underworld sets a price of $100,000 on the head of Joseph Valachi, the informer who gave officials their best information on the structure of the syndicate that dominates organized crime in the United States.
Mahoning County's five Common Pleas Court judges approve the transfer of $66,274 from the county nursing home tax levy to the general fund to provide money needed for the fall elections.
Two appointments have been announced in General Fireproofing Co.'s new system and computer operations department. Donald E. Bro-bst is manager of the department and Edward E. Oakley is manager of electronic data processing.
August 7, 1953: The Air Force hopes to spend $2 million to $3 million in 1954 and 1955 to establish a fighter-bomber wing for training of Air Force Reserve staff at the Youngstown Municipal Airport.
State Sen. Nicholas P. Bernard, a Youngstown Democrat, is appointed to the unemployment compensation board of review by Gov. Frank J. Lausche. Bernard succeeds the late Ralph W. O'Neill, also of Youngstown.
Preliminary plans for a new $115,000 clubhouse and recreation center at Stambaugh Golf Course are taken under consideration by members of the City Park and Recreation commission.
Robert Burns Harvey, 73, a reporter for The Vindicator for 20 years, is dead at 73. He was a charter member of the Roberts Deliberating Club and was an active member of a number of other clubs.
August 7, 1928: A 60-foot north-south thoroughfare through the East End business district, from Wood St. to the South Side, comes nearer to reality, with preparations being made to make the South Ave. bridge a 60-foot span and the filing of a suit to appropriate the last piece of land needed to widen Watt St.
William Farr Masonic Lodge will be in charge of cornerstone laying ceremonies for the new Christian Church of Girard, at Broadway and Steward avenues.
The father of a 16-year-old boy who was arrested along with a 24-year-old man by members of the Youngstown police flying squad after a chase into New Bedford, Pa., threatens a lawsuit against the city, claiming that the boy was mistreated. The chase began after a robbery in Youngstown and ended after officers shot more than 30 bullet holes into the boys' car. Neither was wounded, but the father claims his son was roughed up afterward.
Bids totaling $31,918 are awarded for work on public comfort stations being installed at the Mahoning County courthouse. The county and city will share the cost of building the rest rooms; the need has been under discussion for two years.