Today is Friday, Feb. 20, the 51st day of 2004. There are 315 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Friday, Feb. 20, the 51st day of 2004. There are 315 days left in the year. On this date in 1962, astronaut John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth, flying aboard Friendship Seven.
In 1792, President Washington signs an act creating the U.S. Post Office. In 1809, the Supreme Court rules the power of the federal government is greater than that of any individual state. In 1839, Congress prohibits dueling in the District of Columbia. In 1933, the House of Representatives completes congressional action on an amendment to repeal Prohibition. In 1944, during World War II, U.S. bombers begin raiding German aircraft manufacturing centers in a series of attacks that became known as "Big Week." In 1965, the Ranger Eight spacecraft crashes on the moon after sending back thousands of pictures of the lunar surface. In 1971, the National Emergency Warning Center in Colorado erroneously orders U.S. radio and TV stations off the air; some stations heed the alert, which is not lifted for about 40 minutes. In 1981, the space shuttle Columbia clears the final major hurdle to its maiden launch as the spacecraft fires its three engines in a 20-second test.
February 20, 1979: Frank Thomas, defensive coordinator at Massillon for five years, is named head football coach at Niles McKinley High School. Thomas, 29, a former Warren Harding quarterback, will succeed Tony Napolet. Richard Kerschbaum had been named to the post, but withdrew after a week, choosing to remain at North Ridgeville High.
Four 1979 models are being produced at the Lordstown plant of General Motors: The Buick Skyhawk, Chevrolet Monza, Pontiac Sunbird and Oldsmobile Starfire.
A 15-man squad of private soldiers, financed by Dallas millionaire H. Ross Perot, stage a daring raid on an Iranian prison, rescuing two engineers who had worked for Perot's Electronic Data Systems Inc. and who had been held at the Gasre prison. William Gaylord and Paul Chiapparoni were driven 450 miles to freedom in Turkey.
February 20, 1964: Action on a controversial proposal to abolish seniority rights for noncivil service city employees to create job openings for Democrats is postponed at least a week by Youngstown City Council.
Ilona Johnson of Fitch High School will be the queen of the 37th national YMCA Swimming and Diving Championships to be held at the Central YMCA April 9, 10 and 11
There should be no reduction or other restrictions on seamless pipe products, A.S. Glossbrenner, president of Youngstown Sheet & amp; Tube Co., tells a trade information committee in Washington, D.C.
George Limberty, 70, of 4321 Southern Blvd., dies of a heart attack while shoveling 8 inches of snow at his home on Southern Boulevard, Youngstown.
February 20, 1954: Youngstown First Ward Councilman Michael J. McCullion asks the law department to draw up a new obscene literature law that would prohibit the sale of "filthy books and magazines" to anyone under 18 years of age.
City Building Inspector Robert L. Findlay padlocks the Golden Civic & amp; Political Club and the Forty Club, both housed at 369 E. Federal St., because of unsafe conditions. The clubs had been raided by Police Chief Paul Cress Feb. 11, when low-stakes card games were uncovered but no large scale gambling.
The Clarke Memorial Observatory, a landmark at Mount Union College which had fallen into disrepair and was being used as classroom space, is remodeled and reopened exclusively for astronomical study and observation.
February 20, 1929: Three of five convicts who escaped from the Ohio Penitentiary, including Canton murderer Pat McDermott, are back behind bars after being tracked through a fresh snowfall.
A bitter, sharp cold sends the mercury tumbling to 13 degrees below zero in rural areas surrounding Youngstown and to 1 below in the city.
Joseph W. Gottlieb demands that Mahoning County commissioners take action to secure the resignation of Treasurer Judson Brenner, whom Gottlieb claims has been unable to fulfill the demands of office because of illness.