Today is Wednesday, Dec. 15, the 350th day of 2004. There are 16 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 15, the 350th day of 2004. There are 16 days left in the year. On this date in 1944, a single-engine plane carrying bandleader Glenn Miller disappears over the English Channel while en route to Paris.
In 1791, the Bill of Rights goes into effect following ratification by Virginia. In 1890, Sioux Indian Chief Sitting Bull and 11 other tribe members are killed in Grand River, S.D., during a fracas with Indian police. In 1916, the French defeat the Germans in the World War I Battle of Verdun. In 1944, the Senate approves the promotions of Henry H. Arnold, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur and George C. Marshall to the five-star rank of General of the Army and the nominations of William D. Leahy, Ernest J. King and Chester W. Nimitz as Admirals of the Fleet. In 1964, Canada's House of Commons approves dropping the "Red Ensign" flag in favor of a new design. In 1965, two U.S. manned spacecraft, Gemini 6 and Gemini 7, maneuver to within 10 feet of each other while in orbit.
December 15, 1979: Almost $700,000 is earmarked for the 19th Congressional District under President Carter's "targeted fiscal assistance" program designed to aid depressed urban and rural areas.
Emergency crews evacuate 7,000 residents from a square mile area around the Clark Oil refinery in Taylor, Mich., after one of five large gasoline tanks explodes, sending up flames that are visible from 15 miles away.
December 15, 1964: To be absolutely sure of on-time delivery, today is the last day to put out-of-town Christmas cards in the mail, Youngstown Postmaster Chester W. Bailey warns.
Robert Sharp, a 17-year-old Niles honor student with a penchant for science and math, proves to be no slouch in public speaking, winning top honors in the annual district Prince of Peace competition at Boardman Methodist Church.
The Mayor's Safety Committee discusses the possibility of restoring a full driver training course in the Youngstown City Schools to improve highway safety in the area. The complete course includes 30 hours of classroom work, eight hours of observation while riding in a car with an instructor and six hours of actual driving experience.
December 15, 1954: Youngstown Law Director Felix Mika tells City Council that it is his opinion that civil service employees cannot obtain a second job without the Civil Service Commission's consent. The ruling came after the AFL United Labor Congress declared that city employees should not be allowed to hold more than one job.
In response to agitation from a group of township residents, a public meeting will be held at Boardman High School to discuss whether the township should be annexed to Youngstown so as to obtain police protection, water and transportation services.
Mayor Frank X. Kryzan and Mahoning County commissioners announce that the city jail will probably be the home of county prisoners in 1955, while the old county jail is being torn down and a new one constructed.
December 15, 1929: A year-long search for little Melvin Horst, the 4-year-old boy who disappeared from Orrville, comes to a grim end with word that the boy was killed by a motorist who buried the body a mile from the village. Unlike nearly 1,000 tips investigated over the year, authorities believe this one bears the stamp of truth. A Northeast Ohio businessman has told authorities he will bring the young driver in.
An ordinance to regulate smoke and noxious gases from chimneys, stacks and other sources and providing fines for violators, has been prepared by the Youngstown Federation of Women's Clubs and will be presented to city council.