Today is Wednesday, Oct. 20, the 294th day of 2004. There are 72 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Wednesday, Oct. 20, the 294th day of 2004. There are 72 days left in the year. On this date in 1944, during World War II, Gen. Douglas MacArthur steps ashore at Leyte in the Philippines, two and a half years after he'd said, "I shall return."
In 1803, the U.S. Senate ratifies the Louisiana Purchase. In 1892, the city of Chicago dedicates the World's Columbian Exposition. In 1903, a joint commission rules in favor of the United States in a boundary dispute between the District of Alaska and Canada. In 1944, the Yugoslav cities of Belgrade and Dubrovnik are liberated during World War II. In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee opens hearings into alleged Communist influence and infiltration within the American motion picture industry. In 1964, the 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover, dies in New York at age 90. In 1967, seven men are convicted in Meridian, Miss., of violating the civil rights of three murdered civil rights workers. In 1968, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy marries Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. In 1973, in the so-called "Saturday Night Massacre," special Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox is dismissed and Attorney General Elliot L. Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William B. Ruckelshaus resign. In 1979, the John F. Kennedy Library is dedicated in Boston.
October 20, 1979: The Consumer Alliance to Stop Edison is studying the legal implications of mounting a bill-payers strike against Ohio Edison if the company gets the rate increase it is seeking.
The Board of Commissioners of Mill Creek Park takes under advisement a proposal by the Salt Springs Group of the Sierra Club to close several roads in the park to motorized traffic.
A high of 76 in Youngstown is just one degree short of a record for the date.
A presidential committee investigating the accident at Three Mile Island votes to recommend that no new nuclear power plants be built until new safety guidelines are adopted.
October 20, 1964: Congressman Michael J. Kirwan carries his determined fight for the Lake Erie-Ohio River canal into the heat of the enemy's camp, lashing out at "interests who would block improvements for the (Youngstown) district, while speaking in Pittsburgh.
The 3-million gallon standpipe on Indianola Ave., once the largest elevated water tank in the world, is being sandblasted, repaired and painted.
Five Youngstown University coeds are finalists for Engineers' Sweetheart of 1964. They are Susan Routman, Ruth Yozwiak, Helen McAllise, Carole Hamilton and Linda Lee Moore.
October 20, 1954: Youngstown Police Chief Paul Cress says that two of the reputed leaders of the city's numbers rackets, Sandy Naples and Vince DeNiro, have made contributions to both the Republican and Democratic parties.
The Rev. John Lettau, secretary to Bishop Emmet M. Walsh, head of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese, urges support of the .4-mill Mill Creek Park levy, calling Miil Creek the people's park, used by all creeds and races.
James W. Shocknessy, chairman of the Ohio Turnpike Commission, recommends a speed limit of 65 mph for cars and 50 or 55 for trucks. A limit of 70 mph had been discussed.
Three of the Mahoning County Jail's walls are so badly cracked that repairing the 45-year-old structure would be impossible, says Robert J. Schomer, former county engineer. He recommends replacing the building.
October 20, 1929: A last-minute rush brings the number of eligible voters in Mahoning County to 34,104. Of those registered, 19,976 are men and 14,128 are women.
More than 150 physicians and surgeons within a 110-mile radius of Youngstown are expected to attend the second post-graduate assembly of the Mahoning County Medical Society at the Hotel Ohio.
L.F. Donnell has purchased the H.R. Hooper Co. on Market St. at Glenwood Ave., dealer in Ford cars, and will reopen under Donnell's management. Donnell has been with the B.P. Higby Ford dealership for 16 years.
With Youngstown leading the entire country in the number of deaths from automobile accidents, Mayor Joseph Heffernan is preparing to map out a plan to reduce the highway carnage.