Today is Wednesday, Dec. 1, the 336th day of 2004. There are 30 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 1, the 336th day of 2004. There are 30 days left in the year. On this date in 1904, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis closes after seven months and some 20 million visitors.
In 1824, the presidential election is turned over to the U.S. House of Representatives when a deadlock develops between John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, William H. Crawford and Henry Clay. Adams ends up the winner. In 1913, the first drive-in automobile service station opens, in Pittsburgh. In 1934, Sergei M. Kirov, a collaborator of Josef Stalin, is assassinated in Leningrad, resulting in a massive purge. In 1942, nationwide gasoline rationing goes into effect in the United States. In 1943, President Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin conclude their Tehran conference. In 1955, Rosa Parks, a black seamstress, refuses to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Ala., city bus. Mrs. Parks is arrested, sparking a yearlong boycott of the buses by blacks. In 1965, an airlift of refugees from Cuba to the United States begins in which thousands of Cubans are allowed to leave their homeland. In 1969, the U.S. government holds its first draft lottery since World War II. In 1973, David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, dies in Tel Aviv at age 87.
December 1, 1979: Ohio's Golden Buckeye Card program, created by executive order of Gov. James A. Rhodes, is on track to become state law after the House gives it statutory approval by an 80-0 vote.
Bo Rein, a disciple of Woody Hayes and a former football and baseball standout at Niles McKinley High School, is given a four-year contract to coach football at Louisiana State University. Rein, 34, took North Carolina State to two bowl games and an Atlantic Coast Conference championship in four seasons.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration, with President Carter's backing, promises to pump roughly $225 million into the Youngstown area to help cushion the blow of steel plant closings.
December 1, 1964: Mahoning County commissioners receive four proposals that would cost about $17,000 to increase security of the Mahoning County Jail's two maximum security ranges on the sixth floor.
Youngstown Mayor Anthony B. Flask snips a ribbon to open the Toys for Tots store being manned by local Marine Corps reservist, the Salvation Army and Youngstown Federation of Women's Clubs at 274 W. Federal St. Toys dropped off at the site will be distributed to needy children at Christmas.
December 1, 1954: Govs. Frank J. Lausche of Ohio and John S. Fine of Pennsylvania use golden scissors to cut ribbons to mark the opening a 22-mile section of the Ohio Turnpike from Eastgate to North Jackson.
Four members of Youngstown City Council urge the Youngstown Municipal Railway Co. to increase bus service, at least for the holidays.
Atty. Jack W. Nybell, finance director in Mayor Frank X. Kryzan's cabinet, is quitting his post to return to the practice of law.
December 1, 1929: The average amount of property taxes being collected in Youngstown for every man, woman and child is $38, about 18 percent higher than the average paid for all cities in the nation of Youngstown's size.
There are reports that five new hotels are in the works in Youngstown, with construction expected to begin in 1930. The projects total more than $2 million, in addition to the $1.2 million estimated for the proposed 10-story Warner Hotel.