Today is Wednesday, Dec. 31, the 365th and final day of 2003. On this date in 1879, Thomas Edison

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 31, the 365th and final day of 2003. On this date in 1879, Thomas Edison first publicly demonstrates his electric incandescent light in Menlo Park, N.J.
In 1775, the British repulse an attack by Continental Army generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold at Quebec; Montgomery is killed. In 1862, President Lincoln signs an act admitting West Virginia to the Union. In 1877, President and Mrs. Hayes celebrate their silver anniversary (technically, a day late) by re-enacting their wedding ceremony in the White House. In 1961, the Marshall Plan expires after distributing more than $12 billion in foreign aid. In 1978, Taiwanese diplomats strike their colors for the final time from the embassy flagpole in Washington, marking the end of diplomatic relations with the United States. In 1985, singer Rick Nelson, 45, and six other people are killed when fire breaks out aboard a DC-3 that was taking the group to a New Year's Eve performance in Dallas. In 1986, 97 people are killed when fire breaks out in the Dupont Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Three hotel workers later plead guilty to charges in connection with the blaze.) In 1997, Michael Kennedy, the 39-year-old son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, is killed in a skiing accident on Aspen Mountain in Colorado.
December 31, 1978: The Youngstown Hospital Association is raising room rates $10 across the boards, bringing charges to $119 for a private room, $108 for semi-private and $246 for intensive care.
Stained-glass thievery is big business in Youngstown and thousands of dollars worth has been taken during the last year and is virtually impossible to trace.
The J.V. McNicholas Transfer Co. will spend $10 million to $11 million to upgrade and enlarge its truck fleet, Henry J. McNicholas, president of the company, says. McNicholas said about 200 tractors at about $50,000 each have already been ordered.
December 31, 1963: Four young children perish in a roaring fire that consumed their frame home at 3021 Seifert Ave. in McGuffey Heights. Their parents and three other children escape by jumping from the roof of the front porch. Dead are Joshua Hall Jr., 12, and sisters Josephine, 7; Brenda, 4, and Davida, 1.
Ralph Audino, chairman of the Lawrence County Democratic Party, says Republican plans to take over the New Castle Street Department is "power politics" and threatens to retaliate through the school board, which is Democrat-controlled.
Youngstown residents shiver in an icy grip that sent temperatures as low as 13 below zero and broke records for the second successive day.
December 31, 1953: New Year's Eve celebrants who have too much to drink will be given police transportation home if they desire it, Youngstown police and Mahoning sheriff's deputies say. Those who choose to drive after excessive drinking will be arrested.
Youngstown's incoming police chief, Paul Cress, names Detective George Krispli chief of the city's vice squad and Krispli names 11 new members to the squad, which will be charged with guarding against the re-entry of rackets to the city.
Dr. R.H. Eyman, assistant superintendent of public instruction in Ohio, is the speaker at the dedication of Hubbard's new $1.5 million high school. Eyman warns that the cost of operating schools in the state will continue to increase because of growing enrollments.
December 31, 1928: By the numbers, Youngstown leads 10 Ohio cities in the increase in population over the 1920 census according to the Newspaper Feature Bureau population survey, which showed Youngstown had a gain of 50,296, bringing the city's total to 182,654.
As a response to the influenza epidemic, Youngstown public school officials announce that the holiday closing of schools will be extended to Monday, Jan. 7. Parochial school officials had already announced that they would be closed until the 7th.
Two children lose their lives and their father may die of burns suffered after one of the boys, age 7, attempted to hasten a fire in the kitchen stove at the Moherman Avenue home by pouring kerosene on it. Dead are Mildred Miler, 3, and Jackie Miller, 7. In St. Elizabeth Hospital is John Miller, 39.
Youngstown Police Chief J.J. McNicholas and Mahoning Sheriff Peter J. Corll both warn that they'll tolerate no liquor at New Year's celebrations and that dry enforcement agents will be out in force.