Today is Monday, Dec. 5, the 339th day of 2005. There are 26 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Monday, Dec. 5, the 339th day of 2005. There are 26 days left in the year. On this date in 1933, national Prohibition comes to an end as Utah becomes the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, repealing the 18th Amendment.
In 1776, the first scholastic fraternity in America, Phi Beta Kappa, is organized at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. In 1791, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart dies in Vienna, Austria, at age 35. In 1848, President Polk triggers the Gold Rush of 1949 by confirming that gold has been discovered in California. In 1901, movie producer Walt Disney is born in Chicago. In 1932, German physicist Albert Einstein is granted a visa, making it possible for him to travel to the United States. In 1955, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merge to form the AFL-CIO under its first president, George Meany. In 1994, Republicans choose Newt Gingrich to be the first GOP speaker of the House in four decades.
December 5, 1980: Equitable distribution of the Mahoning Valley's water resources will depend on money in Mahoning County and politics in Trumbull County, local officials say during public hearings on a proposed supplement to the Northeast Ohio Water Plan of 1972.
The Sharon General Hospital board of directors approves the acquisition of a "Lifeline" system to better serve the needs of the elderly and disabled in the Shenango Valley.
December 5, 1965: Selected portions of all three parts of Handel's "Messiah" will be presented at Bethel Lutheran Church on Crestview Drive.
The opening of General Motors Corp.'s new Chevrolet plant at Lordstown in 1966 will probably have the most impact on of any industrial development in many years on all facets to the Youngstown area economy, writes business editor George Reiss.
A Youngstown couple married less than 24 hours meet a tragic death on their honeymoon trip when their car skids on the wet pavement of the Pennsylvania turnpike and crashes into a bridge abutment near New Kensington. Dead are Robert J. Whitfield, 28, and his wife, the former Ida Jane Gagye, 22.
December 5, 1955: Five South Side youngsters, ages 11 to 14, are being questioned by Juvenile Court authorities in connection with the July 23 deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Sweetapple, whose car was struck by a runaway freight car on Poland Ave.
A 28-year-old former theology student and ex-convict admits being responsible for more than 25 church burglaries in Ohio and New York after being captured outside Holy Trinity Baptist Church at 243 W. Rayen Ave.
December 5, 1930: Six persons are killed in auto accidents in Youngstown and one by a street car during November, making a total of 40 traffic deaths for the year.
A second order of three U.S. fighter planes, part of an order of 12 placed by the Chinese Nationalist government, is on its way to China. The planes are capable of speeds of up to 150 mph and are equipped with machine guns and bombs. The total order amounts to $1 million.