Today is Friday, Oct. 22, the 296th day of 2004. There are 70 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Friday, Oct. 22, the 296th day of 2004. There are 70 days left in the year. On this date in 1962, President Kennedy announces an air and naval blockade of Cuba, following the discovery of Soviet missile bases on the island.
In 1797, French balloonist Andre-Jacques Garnerin makes the first parachute descent, landing safely from a height of about 3,000 feet. In 1883, the original Metropolitan Opera House in New York holds its grand opening with a performance of Gounod's "Faust." In 1934, bank robber Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd is shot to death by federal agents at a farm in East Liverpool. In 1954, West Germany joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 1968, Apollo 7 returns safely, splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1973, Spanish cellist, conductor and composer Pablo Casals dies in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, at age 96. In 1979, the U.S. government allows the deposed Shah of Iran to travel to New York for medical treatment -- a decision that precipitates the Iran hostage crisis.
October 22, 1979: YSU seniors Keith Snoddy and Jimmy "The Flea" Ferranti combine to rip the Akron Zips apart, 16-3, and to preserve the Penguins unbeaten season. Coach Bill Narduzzi has guided the Penguins to victories in 21 of their last 23 games.
More than 600 people from throughout the United States, Canada and South America attend My Way Farm's first polled Hereford production sale in Canfield. Gross sales of $728,000 were registered, an average of $5,272 for the 138 animals sold.
October 22, 1964: Former Vice President Richard Nixon will speak at a Republican rally Oct. 28 at the Packard Music Hall in Warren.
Speaking at Memorial Hall at Akron University, President Lyndon Johnson delivers a hard-hitting plea for a bipartisan foreign policy. A crowd of 4,000 greeted Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird, at the Akron-Canton Airport and an estimated 40,000 people lined the route from the airport to the university.
October 22, 1954: Speaking at the formal dedication of Ohio Edison's $35 million power plant near Niles, Walter Sammis, president of Ohio Edison, says electric power has given Americans the highest standard of living in the world. About 2,500 people attend the ceremony, which also marked the 75th anniversary of Thomas Edison's invention of the light bulb.
California Gov. Goodwin Knight appeals to all refineries in Los Angeles County to shut down in a strong move in the area's all-out battle against smog.
Thousands of value-minded shoppers flock to Downtown Youngstown to take advantage of sales offered as part of a Progress Jubilee sponsored by the Retail Merchants Board and the Downtown Merchants & amp; Property Owners Association. The sale marks downtown progress in the last decade.
October 22, 1929: In a replica of Independence Hall built by Henry Ford in Dearborn Michigan, Ford, President Herbert Hoover and several hundred distinguished guests honor Thomas Avla Edison on the golden anniversary of his invention of the incandescent lamp.
The Youngstown Post Office has 20,000 stamps commemorating the Ohio River Canalization. Local authorities had hoped to get 100,000 of the stamps, but could not because of strong demand.