Today is Tuesday, Sept. 21, the 265th day of 2004. There are 101 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Tuesday, Sept. 21, the 265th day of 2004. There are 101 days left in the year. On this date in 1949, the People's Republic of China is proclaimed by its Communist leaders.
In 1792, the French National Convention votes to abolish the monarchy. In 1897, the New York Sun runs its famous editorial that declared, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." In 1938, a hurricane strikes parts of New York and New England, causing widespread damage and claiming more than 600 lives. In 1964, Malta gains independence from Britain. In 1970, "NFL Monday Night Football" makes its debut on ABC T.V. as the Cleveland Browns defeat the visiting New York Jets, 31-21. In 1973, the U.S. Senate confirms Henry Kissinger to be Secretary of State.
September 21, 1979: An analysis of water from the Berlin Reservoir, back up to the Meander Reservoir as the Mahoning Valley's primary water supply, shows no evidence of chemical contamination from the Deerfield hazardous waste dump.
Officials of the Standard Oil Co. of Ohio deny any plot to force independent gas stations out of business, even while acknowledging that sales from company-owned stations have jumped from 39 percent to 75 percent of the Ohio market since 1972.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court gives state judges the option of allowing television cameras and microphones in their courtrooms to cover nonjury trials.
September 21, 1964: A 26-year-old former bellhop in Las Vegas is in Ashtabula County Jail, held in the killing and rape of a 17-year-old Conneaut girl in a lovers lane in North Kingsville.
Jack Nicklaus, so casual he picked blackberries after a tee shot, fires a five-under par 67 to win the $40,000 Portland Open Golf Tournament.
September 21, 1954: The Youngstown Board of Education warns that rowdyism after high school football games must stop, or night games will be abolished in the city.
A group of 47 prisoners in the Mahoning County Jail drafts a complaint alleging that conditions in the jail are filthy and that some commodities, such as butter, are being sold to the prison population at large by a handful of prisoners who have been given positions of trust in the jail.
State Auditor James A. Rhodes, in Youngstown to open the Mahoning County Republican Party headquarters, said Gov. Frank Lausche, whom Rhodes is challenging, has had more scandals in his Liquor Control Department than any other governor in Ohio's history.
September 21, 1929: A 29-year-old Campbell woman put poison in wine belonging to her neighbors because she was angry that they had complained about her making too much noise. The couple became suspicious of the wine and took it to the police station for analysis.
A blister caused by the rubbing of her shoe against her heel became infected, leading to the death of Helen Gbur, 15, of Cooper Street, Youngstown, of blood poisoning.
The Burnett Y.P.B. at Epworth M.E. Church, Youngstown, issues a proclamation warning businesses that members of the church group will not patronize establishments that allow women to smoke.