Today is Tuesday, Oct. 21, the 294th day of 2003. There are 71 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Tuesday, Oct. 21, the 294th day of 2003. There are 71 days left in the year. On this date in 1879, Thomas Edison invents a workable electric light at his laboratory in Menlo Park, N.J.
In 1797, the U.S. Navy frigate Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides," is launched in Boston's harbor. In 1805, a British fleet commanded by Adm. Horatio Nelson defeats a French-Spanish fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar; Nelson, however, is killed. In 1944, during World War II, U.S. troops capture the German city of Aachen. In 1945, women in France are allowed to vote for the first time. In 1959, the Guggenheim Museum in New York opens to the public. In 1960, Democrat John F. Kennedy and Republican Richard M. Nixon clash in their fourth and final presidential debate. In 1966, more than 140 people, mostly children, are killed when a coal waste landslide engulfs a school and several houses in southern Wales. In 1967, tens of thousands of Vietnam War protesters march in Washington, D.C. In 1971, President Nixon nominates Lewis F. Powell and William H. Rehnquist to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1976, Saul Bellow wins the Nobel Prize for literature, the first American honored since John Steinbeck in 1962.
October 21, 1978: The dedication of the west extension of Federal Plaza is the latest proof that "Youngstown is alive and well and kicking," says U.S. Sen. John Glenn at the dedication ceremonies.
U.S. Rep. Charles J. Carney decides against facing off against his Republican challenger, Lyle Williams, at the Warren Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Carney informed the chamber the day before the event that he would be attending the dedication of Youngstown's Federal Plaza extension instead.
Rabbi David Leiter, a native of Pittsburgh, is named the new spiritual leader of Ohev Tzedek Temple, Boardman, replacing Rabbi Jordan I. Taxon who resigned due to ill health.
October 21, 1963: Mahoning County Engineer Sam Gould says the statues atop the Mahoning County Courthouse are in need of a thorough cleaning. Gould says he noticed how grimy the statues have become when he looked out the window of the new Voyager Motel across Market St. while attending a dance in the rooftop ballroom.
With no indication of rain in the forecast, firemen in Trumbull County have issued a ban on hunting and open fires in the county.
Greater Youngstown area's first United Appeal gets $996,302 toward its goal of $1,525,053 at the second report meeting at the YMCA. That's 65 percent of the goal.
October 21, 1953: Representatives of Youngstown city workers turn down a 5 percent pay raise offered during a meeting with council as a whole. Mayor Charles Henderson states bluntly that 5 percent is as high as the city will go because of dwindling income.
The 1953 Community Chest campaign is extended for a week in an attempt to make up a 3 percent shortfall. The total raised during the campaign was $761,364 toward a goal of $785,000.
Walter P. Jones, 29, a former Air Corps captain in World War II, is killed when his jet plane explodes and his parachute fails to open at Lancaster, Calif. Jones, a Warren native, was a test pilot for Northrup Corp.
October 21, 1928: Youngstown voter registration hits a new record, with 56,905 citizens registered to vote in the presidential race between Al Smith and Herbert Hoover Nov. 6.
Ohio State defeats Michigan, 19 to 7, ending a six-year losing streak. A crowd of 72,723 witnessed the contest.
Knock-out gas discharged from a safe into which burglars were attempting to cut their way with an acetylene torch at the post office at Middletown, Ohio, forces the robbers to flee empty handed, leaving behind their tools. The gas-dispensing device is the invention of a Youngstown man, Dominic Ruff of Holmes St., who holds the patents on the invention but gave the federal government rights to use it.