Friday, July 30, 2004
Today is Friday, July 30, the 212th day of 2004. There are 154 days left in the year. On this date in 1945, during World War II, the USS Indianapolis is torpedoed by a Japanese submarine; only 316 out of 1,196 men survive the sinking and shark-infested waters.
In 1729, the city of Baltimore is founded. In 1792, the French national anthem "La Marseillaise," by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, is first sung in Paris. In 1844, the New York Yacht Club is founded. In 1864, during the Civil War, Union forces try to take Petersburg, Va., by exploding a mine under Confederate defense lines -- the attack fails. In 1942, President Roosevelt signs a bill creating a women's auxiliary agency in the Navy known as "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service" -- WAVES for short. In 1965, President Johnson signs into law the Medicare bill, which goes into effect the following year. In 1975, former Teamsters union president Jimmy Hoffa disappears in suburban Detroit -- although presumed dead, his remains have never been found. In 1975, representatives of 35 countries convene in Finland for a conference on security and human rights that results in the Helsinki accords. In 1980, the Israeli Knesset passes a law reaffirming all of Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state.
July 30, 1979: Damage is estimated at $50,000 in an arson fire at the rear of Furnitureland of Youngstown on Market Court Alley. Most of the loss will be in smoke and water damage to furniture.
Former Trumbull County Domestic Relations/Juvenile Court Judge Bruce P. Henderson, 73, dies in Washington Square Nursing Home.
The 50th annual Polish Day sponsored by the Polish Societies of Youngstown is held at St. Stanislaus Church. The Rev. Richard Buchman, retired, of Orwell, spoke of the pride felt with the elevation of a son of Poland, John Paul II to pope.
July 30, 1964: The Senate heeds the warning of Sen. Richard B. Russell that "we can't afford to be second best" and votes unanimously to approve a budget of $46 billion for defense.
George T. Smith of Youngstown is promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserves.
The Packard Electric Division of General Motors opens its new research and engineering building in Warren. Wiring harnesses are tested under extreme heat and cold situations. A cold room is capable of maintaining temperature s of 60 degrees below zero.
July 30, 1954: Police Chief Paul Cress orders the arrest of the parents of the "Dynamite Kid," after the 18-year-old fugitive fails to turn himself in as had been agreed upon. The surrender was arranged in a telephone call to The Vindicator city desk. Cress told radio reporters about the plan and they broadcast the location of the surrender. About 100 onlookers showed up, not the Kid.
Safe crackers break into the H.J. Heinz Co. office and warehouse at 3666 Mahoning Ave., escaping with an estimated $1,000 after burning open a vault and two other office safes.
Playing at the Palace, "The Caine Mutiny," starring Humprhey Bogart, Jose Ferrer, Van Johnson and Fred MacMurray.
About 10 percent of Babe Ruth's residuary estate goes to the Babe Ruth Foundation, which is dedicated to the interests of "the kids of America." The estate is valued at $60,000, which means the foundation will get $6,000.
July 30, 1929: A robber holds up W.J. Murray, manager of the Strand Theater, escaping with $300 that Murray was carrying in a black valise.
The new South Side branch library building opens its doors to the public, although no books will be lent for another day. The building was completed at a cost of $101,726 about half of which was given by the city, half by popular subscription.
The state game and fish division ships 475 pheasants for distribution in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. The birds were requested by hunters, who said the supply needed replenishing.
Youngstown ranks third among U.S. cities in the death rate from auto accidents in 1928, according to census figures, with 44.3 fatalities per 100,000 population. Camden, N.J., was first at 64.4 and Paterson N.J., was second at 45.