Today is Friday, Aug. 6, the 219th day of 2004. There are 147 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Friday, Aug. 6, the 219th day of 2004. There are 147 days left in the year. On this date in 1945, during World War II, the United States drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, killing an estimated 140,000 people in the first use of a nuclear weapon in warfare.
In 1787, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia begins to debate the articles contained in a draft of the United States Constitution. In 1890, convicted murderer William Kemmler becomes the first person to be executed in the electric chair as he was put to death at Auburn State Prison in New York.
In 1914, Austria-Hungary declares war against Russia and Serbia declared war against Germany. In 1926, Gertrude Ederle of New York becomes the first American woman to swim the English Channel, in about 141/2 hours. In 1965, President Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act.
August 6, 1979: The United Auto Workers, assuming an active role in efforts to held financially troubled Chrysler Corp., is backing the automakers request for federal aid while indicating the company may get a break in contract negotiations.
Theodore N. Bloomberg, 58, of Detroit, former Youngstown plumbing executive and co-owner of the Moss-Bow Co., world's largest dog show presentation business, dies in Rochester, Pa., after being stricken with a heart attack while staging the Butler, Pa., dog show.
Representatives of the Youngstown Area Arts Council and Mayor J. Phillip Richley sign a contract with artist George Segal for a Federal Plaza sculpture recognizing the steel industry's contributions to the Mahoning Valley.
August 6, 1964: Youngstown Sheet & amp; Tube Co. will spend several million dollars at its Brier Hill open hearth plant to install the first vacuum degassing unit in a Youngstown steel mill. The single unit will treat steel from all 12 open hearths, handling heats of up to 200 tons.
Youngstown Fire Capt. William A. Lightbody, 48, of 811 E. Philadelphia Ave., dies in St. Elizabeth Hospital, three days after being stricken with a heart attack while directing operations at a fire at 516 Hayman St.
David and Joyce Hostetler of Struthers are appointed by the Teachers Abroad Program for three-year teaching assignments in Tanganyika. They will serve as representatives of the Mennonite Central Committee, which has 600 men and women serving in the United States, Canada and 30 other countries.
August 6, 1954: Only two men, described as small fry numbers salesmen, are charged with illegal possession of lottery slips after 32 Youngstown policemen raid seven suspected "bug" sites.
Pork prices in the Youngstown area are dropping sharply, with pork roast selling for 39 cents a pound and center-cut chops trimmed to about 69 cents a pound. Even bacon, which was selling for 79 cents a pound two months ago, is cheaper by 20 cents.
Steel operations in the Youngstown district are expected to hold at about 65 percent for the remaining weeks of the summer doldrums, but companies are gearing up for an expected pick-up in the fall.
August 6, 1929: Mrs. Sarah Mooney, mother of Archbishop Edward A. Mooney, apostolic delegate to India, is buried after a solemn high pontifical Mass at St. Columba Church, celebrated by Bishop Joseph Schrembs of the diocese of Cleveland. Pallbearers are C.B. Cushwa, John Gerrity, Joseph Flood, Vincent Laughlin and Edward Sackville of Youngstown., and John Dowling of Johnstown, Pa.
Police Chief Paul Lyden announces a shake-up in his department, organizing the city into five districts, with two patrolmen in a police car in each district, required to call in every 30 minutes.
A half-hour parking limit on State Street, Sharon's main thoroughfare, goes into effect in an effort to relieve traffic congestion.