Today is Friday, Dec. 9, the 343rd day of 2005. There are 22 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Friday, Dec. 9, the 343rd day of 2005. There are 22 days left in the year. On this date in 1854, Alfred Lord Tennyson's famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," is published in England.
In 1608, English poet John Milton is born in London. In 1907, Christmas seals go on sale for the first time, at the Wilmington, Del., post office; proceeds go to fight tuberculosis. In 1940, British troops open their first major offensive in North Africa during World War II. In 1942, the Aram Khachaturian ballet "Gayane," featuring the surging "Saber Dance," is first performed by the Kirov Ballet. In 1958, the anti-Communist John Birch Society is formed in Indianapolis. In 1965, Nikolai V. Podgorny replaces Anastas I. Mikoyan as president of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. In 1975, President Ford signs a $2.3 billion seasonal loan-authorization that officials of New York City and State say will prevent a city default. In 1984, the five-day-old hijacking of a Kuwaiti jetliner that claimed the lives of two Americans ends as Iranian security men seize control of the plane, which was parked at Tehran airport. In 1990, Solidarity founder Lech Walesa wins Poland's presidential runoff by a landslide. In 1992, Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana announce their separation. (The couple's divorce becomes final Aug. 28, 1996.)
December 9, 1980: Dr. Thomas Shipka, president of the Youngstown State University chapter of the Ohio Education Association, says negotiations on a new pact for faculty at YSU will begin in February. Salary ranges are $18,000 to $34,000 for professors; $15,000 to $28,300 for assistant professors and $11,000 to $18,500 for an instructor.
A proposed high-speed rail test track is dealt a setback when the Ohio Rail Transportation Authority fails to award a $1.2 million contract for the design of a 40-mile track that would run from Ashtabula to Warren.
The Mahoning County Board of Elections certifies the election of Atty. Michael A. Gerchak as county judge and turns over further investigation of the vandalism of voting machines in three townships to the sheriff's department.
December 9, 1965: An ordinance granting a cable antenna television franchise to Youngstown Cable TV of Hollidaysburg, Pa., is vetoed by Youngstown Mayor Anthony B. Flask.
Hundreds of Pittsburgh policemen, demanding more than a 5 percent pay increase, jam a city council meeting, jeering and booing the councilmen during public hearings on the city's 1966 budget. The FOP wants 15 percent.
Youngstown Police Lt. Stephen Biscan single-handedly captures a would-be bank robber who fled empty-handed from the Dollar Savings & amp; Trust Co.'s McGuffey Plaza branch.
December 9, 1955: Shenango Valley clergymen of all faiths will conduct a poll of Westinghouse Electric Corp. employees on the question of whether they wish to return to work under the present contract pending negotiation of a new contract. Westinghouse employees have been on strike more than seven weeks.
Steel production in Youngstown district mills is continuing at 100 percent of capacity, as American mills set a new all-time production record in 1955.
The Advisory Committee of the Division of Aid for the Aged votes unanimously to request the Coordinating Council of the Community Corp. to seek an impartial survey of all agencies working with older persons to assure that services are being provided in the most efficient and economic manner.
December 9, 1930: The Youngstown State Bank and the Youngstown Savings Co., the oldest foreign bank in the city, are merged under the name City Trust & amp; Savings Bank.
Reese E. Jones, president of the First State Bank of Newton Falls, is charged with embezzling $88,000 of the bank's funds to play the stock market.
Thomas "Chippy" Mango testifies in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court that he collected $25,000 from 18 Niles bootleggers and delivered the money as bribes to Edward Kennedy, ousted Niles police lieutenant for protection of their trade.