Today is Saturday, Aug. 23, the 235th day of 2003. There are 130 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Saturday, Aug. 23, the 235th day of 2003. There are 130 days left in the year. On this date in 1927, Italian-born anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti are executed in Boston for the murders of two men during a 1920 robbery. Sacco and Vanzetti were vindicated in 1977 by Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis.
In 1914, Japan declares war on Germany in World War I. In 1926, silent film star Rudolph Valentino dies in New York at age 31. In 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign a non-aggression treaty. In 1944, Romanian prime minister Ion Antonescu is dismissed by King Michael, paving the way for Romania to abandon the Axis in favor of the Allies. In 1960, Broadway librettist Oscar Hammerstein II dies in Doylestown, Pa. In 1972, the Republican national convention, meeting in Miami Beach, Fla., nominates Vice President Spiro T. Agnew for a second term. In 1979, Soviet dancer Alexander Godunov defects while the Bolshoi Ballet is on tour in New York.
August 23, 1978: Pennsylvania Gov. Milton Shapp, foreseeing visions of an economic bonanza, supports construction of a proposed $8 billion mill by the U.S. Steel Corp. along Lake Erie.
In the first successful demonstration of its kind, a powerful prototype laser beam weapon destroys a high-speed missile in flight, according to an article in Aviation Week & amp; Space Technology, a scientific journal.
Fyde Truck & amp; Equipment Inc., 1500 Trumbull Ave., is appointed the Youngstown area's first dealer for Mercedes-Benz trucks. Mercedes diesels boast double the mileage of comparable gasoline-powered trucks.
August 23, 1963: The Youngstown Board of Control approves the purchase of four parcels in the River Bend area by the Urban Renewal Agency for a total of $40,000.
The Independent Merchants Parking Action Committee says it hopes to make free parking on Thursday nights in downtown Youngstown a permanent attraction to shoppers.
Columbiana County crowns a 4-H king and queen, Alan Knizat, 20, and Sandra Hawkins, 19, on the opening day of the 118th annual county fair.
August 23, 1953: A vigorous drive to persuade the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to proceed with a north-south highway route is underway in the Sharon area. The drive is being sparked by the newly organized Beaver Valley-to-Erie Turnpike Extension Association, comprised of business, industrial and civic leaders from western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
Bernard J. "Ben" Bucheit is a big man accustomed to doing things in a big way, writes Esther Hamilton. He is president of Joseph J. Bucheit & amp; Sons Co., which was founded in 1907.
Edith Sherbine of New Castle, who has held jobs in Cuba, New Delhi and Shanghai, is preparing to leave for a post in Saigon, Indochina, on a two year tour of duty with the U.S. Foreign Operations Administration.
August 23, 1928: A pleasure trip to Youngstown ends tragically for Norman Eynon, 25, of Warren when he falls over Lanterman Falls near the Old Mill and breaks his neck. Police said he was walking near the edge of Mill Creek with his companion, May Klugh, when he lost his footing, plunged into the water and was carried over the falls.
A painting by Robert F. McClure of Warren depicting a return of the soldier to civilian life is unveiled at the American Legion Ohio state convention to tumultuous cheering. McClure worked for a year on the life-sized painting, which may be reproduced on national posters by the Legion.
Benjamin W. Leis, 2227 Elm St., wins the Vindicator's hole-in-one contest, being the first golfer to accomplish the feat in the month of August. He sank his tee shot on the eighth hole of the Mill Creek course, winning prizes provided by several merchants, including a Kroydon driver, knickers from Hartzell Bros., golf bag, golf oxfords, golf hose and a trophy.