Today is Monday, May 17, the 138th day of 2004. There are 228 days left in the year. On his date in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court hands down its Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka decision which

Today is Monday, May 17, the 138th day of 2004. There are 228 days left in the year. On his date in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court hands down its Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka decision which finds that racially segregated public schools are inherently unequal, and therefore unconstitutional.
In 1875, the first Kentucky Derby is run; the winner is Aristides. In 1904, Jean Gabin, one of France's most popular film actors, is born in Paris. In 1938, Congress passes the Vinson Naval Act, providing for a two-ocean navy. In 1939, Britain's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrive in Quebec on the first visit to Canada by reigning British sovereigns. In 1940, the Nazis occupy Brussels, Belgium, during World War II. In 1946, President Truman seizes control of the nation's railroads, delaying a threatened strike by engineers and trainmen. In 1948, the Soviet Union recognizes the new state of Israel. In 1973, the Senate opens its hearings into the Watergate scandal. In 1987, 37 American sailors are killed when an Iraqi warplane attacks the U.S. Navy frigate Stark in the Persian Gulf. (Iraq and the U.S. call the attack a mistake.)
May 17, 1979: A. Philip Randolph, who began by turning a handful of sleeping car porters into the first black union with an international charter from the American Federation of Labor, dies at the age of 90 in New York.
Niles, one of eight Ohio cities told by a federal court that its attempts to bar solicitation by members of the Unification Church, becomes the first city to adopt a new anti-solicitation ordinance, which Law Director Mitchell Shaker says conforms to the court's guidelines.
The Mahoning Valley is being considered for a rail test track to determine the practicality of high-speed passenger rail services between Ohio's biggest cities.
May 17, 1964: Jack Sulligan is elected to his eighth two-year term as chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Central and Executive committees at the biennial organizational meeting in the Nu-Elms.
The largest graduating class in its 20-year history receives the last diplomas to be give by St. Mary's High School in Warren. St. Mary's will be replaced in the fall by the new John F. Kennedy High School.
The long drought has ended in the Youngstown district, but it continues to grip the Great Lakes, forcing water to record low levels, creating some serious shipping problems and adding expenses to industrial shipping throughout the area.
May 17, 1954: A new theater that will seat 500 people is being planned by the Youngstown Playhouse within two years, and members of the Playhouse have authorized the board of directors to plan a fund campaign to pay for the structure.
The much delayed Kimmel Brook public housing lawsuit gets underway before Judge Harold B. Doyle. Residents near the proposed site of the 300-unit housing development are questioning the legality of city council's action in changing the zoning by emergency legislation.
The Rev. Walter H. Werning, a minister for 30 years, 15 as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, is given the keys to a new car, a surprise gift from parishioners in observance of his anniversary.
May 17, 1929: Youngstown has obtained its first important new industry in many years with the announcement that Youngstown Steel Car Door Co. will build a plant at a cost of about $750,000 and will employ 400.
Police Chief J.J. McNicholas orders the Youngstown vice squad to "get out and kick the bookies around a bit; it will do them good." The police will focus on racing and baseball betting.
Alphonse "Scarface Al" Capone is arrested in Chicago on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon and within 12 hours is tried, convicted and sentenced to a year in jail.