Today is Saturday, Dec. 18, the 353rd day of 2004. There are 13 days left in the year. On this date in 1944, in a pair of rulings, the Supreme Court upholds the wartime relocation of Japanese-

Today is Saturday, Dec. 18, the 353rd day of 2004. There are 13 days left in the year. On this date in 1944, in a pair of rulings, the Supreme Court upholds the wartime relocation of Japanese-Americans, but also says undeniably loyal Americans of Japanese ancestry could not be detained.
In 1787, New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, is declared in effect. In 1892, Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite" publicly premieres in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1915, President Wilson, widowed the year before, marries Edith Bolling Galt at her Washington home. In 1940, Adolf Hitler signs a secret directive ordering preparations for a Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. Operation Barbarossa is launched in June 1941. In 1956, Japan is admitted to the United Nations. In 1969, Britain's Parliament abolishes the death penalty for murder. In 1971, the Rev. Jesse Jackson announces in Chicago the founding of Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity). In 1972, the United States begins its heaviest bombing of North Vietnam at that time during the Vietnam War. (The bombardment ends 12 days later.)
December 18, 1979: More businesses in Youngstown and Warren are planning to increase their work forces than are considering cutbacks, according to a survey by Youngstown State University.
The Youngstown Board of Education approves salary agreements with teachers and administrators that will provide increases of 7.8 percent in several salary scales and will add more than $2 million to the expenses of the Youngstown School District in 1980.
Movie stuntman Stan Barrett pilots a rocket-powered car to 739 mph at Edwards Air Force Base in California, making him the first man to break the sound barrier in a land vehicle.
December 18, 1964: Anthony J. Celebrezze, secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, will hold a conference in Youngstown aimed at abating the long-standing water pollution problems in the Mahoning River. About 20 municipalities and industries will meet to discuss pollution.
Clarice Merlo, a Youngstown University junior in business administration, is named sweetheart of Sigma Phi Epsilon during the fraternity's "Queen of Queens" dance in Stambaugh Auditorium.
December 18, 1954: After 12 hours of deliberations, a Cleveland jury of seven men and five women begins a second day in the jury room, deciding the fate of Dr. Sam Sheppard, who is charged with murdering his wife, Marilyn.
General Electric purchases 4,500 acres in Adams County, near Peebles, where jet engines will be tested for a secret project aimed at developing vertical take-off planes.
Children at Thorn Hill School are delighted with ice cream, cookies and other treats provided by the Hyman Greenblatt Post of the Jewish War Veterans. Tod School children are entertained at a Christmas party by the Tod Civic Club.
December 18, 1929: Hope to solve the year-long mystery surrounding the disappearance of Melvin Horst, 4, from Orrville dissolves as the story of a businessman said to have known that the boy was struck by a motorist who then buried the body turns out to be hearsay.
Elmer T. McCleary, president of Republic Iron & amp; Steel Co., will be the president of the new Republic Steel Corp., which is formed from a $350 million merger of Republic and four other companies, Central Alloy Steel of Canton, Donner-Witherow Steel of Buffalo, Bourne-Fuller Co. of Cleveland and Trumbull Cliffs Furnace Co. of Warren.
T.J. Bray, former head of the Republic Iron & amp; Steel Co., is named chairman of the Beaver, Shenango and Mahoning river canal project during a meeting at the Youngstown Club. Frank Purnell, president of Youngstown Sheet & amp; Tube Co., is vice chairman.
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