Today is Thursday, Dec. 4, the 338th day of 2003. There are 27 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Thursday, Dec. 4, the 338th day of 2003. There are 27 days left in the year. On this date in 1783, Gen. George Washington bids farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York.
In 1816, James Monroe of Virginia is elected the fifth president of the United States. In 1875, William Marcy Tweed, the "Boss" of New York City's Tammany Hall political organization, escapes from jail and flees the country. In 1918, President Wilson sets sail for France to attend the Versailles Peace Conference. In 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt orders the dismantling of the Works Progress Administration, which had been created to provide jobs during the Depression. In 1942, U.S. bombers strike the Italian mainland for the first time in World War II. In 1945, the Senate approves U.S. participation in the United Nations. In 1965, the United States launches Gemini VII with Air Force Lt. Col. Frank Borman and Navy Cmdr. James A. Lovell aboard. In 1977, Jean-Bedel Bokassa, ruler of the Central African Empire, crowns himself emperor in a ceremony believed to have cost more than $100 million. (Bokassa was deposed in 1979; he died in November 1996 at age 75.) In 1978, San Francisco gets its first female mayor as City Supervisor Dianne Feinstein is named to replace the assassinated George Moscone. In 1991, Associated Press correspondent Terry Anderson, the longest held of the Western hostages in Lebanon, is released after nearly seven years in captivity.
December 4, 1978: Burglars cut a hole in the roof of the Kresge Co.'s Kmart store in Neshannock Township, load suitcases with jewelry and appliances and escape with several thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.
Brookfield's 1978 Ohio Class AA State Champions are honored at the Blue and Gold Banquet at Tiffany Manor. A crowd of nearly 900 attends, with Tony Mason, former Brookfield coach and now coach at the University of Arizona, as the main speaker.
Atty. Louis E. Katz of Boardman files a class-action suit in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court challenging Youngstown's residency requirement, which says a person must live in the city before taking a civil service exam for a municipal job.
December 4, 1963: Mrs. Marybelle McElrath, Trumbull County recorder since 1952, dies in Trumbull Memorial Hospital. She was 67.
The broadest study of the subject yet made shows death rates increase with the extent of exposure to cigarette smoke, says the American Cancer Society.
Jones & amp; Laughlin Steel Corp., the nation's fourth largest steelmaker, will spend $30 million to improve its huge Cleveland Works, Charles M. Beeghly, J & amp;L chairman and chief executive officer, announces.
Mayor-elect Anthony B. Flask will ask city council to change the position of secretary to the mayor to that of administrative assistant, with duties covering research and relations with councilmen and department heads.
December 4, 1953: Allocations of $788,705 for health, welfare and character-training needs in 1954 are approved by the Community Corporation executive committee. Ninety-three percent of the allocations will stay in the area to help meet operating costs of 32 Red Feather agencies.
Construction of the proposed Shenango River dam at Sharpsville is necessary if Pymatuning Lake's recreational facilities are to be broadened, George Mahaney, burgess of Sharpsville, tells the Pymatuning Lake Improvement Association.
Trophies for the Steel Valley Conference football and baseball championships are presented to Niles McKinley high school coaches during a banquet sponsored by the Niles Booster Club. Youngstown College Coach Dwight "Dike" Beede is the principal speaker.
December 4, 1928: Settlements involving $64,750 for three parcels totaling 319 acres in Jackson and Austintown Township resolves acquisition of land in Mahoning County for the Meander Creek reservoir that will supply water to Youngstown and Niles. Several cases remain to be settled in Trumbull County.
An aching tooth is extracted from the mouth of Miss Lucille Yancu, a competitor in a marathon dance in Canton as she glided across the dance floor. Miss Yancu and nine other entrants had just completed the 457th hour when the tooth was yanked.
Violinist Fritz Kreisler, recognized with Paderewski as the two greatest musicians alive, will play at Stambaugh Auditorium under the auspices of the Monday Musical Club.