Today is Friday, Dec. 23, the 357th day of 2005. There are eight days left in the year. On this date
Today is Friday, Dec. 23, the 357th day of 2005. There are eight days left in the year. On this date in 1805, Joseph Smith Jr., principal founder of the Mormon religious movement, is born in Sharon, Vt.
In 1783, George Washington resigns as commander in chief of the Army and retires to his home at Mount Vernon, Va. In 1823, the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore is published in the Troy (N.Y.) Sentinel. In 1893, the Engelbert Humperdinck opera "Haensel und Gretel" is first performed, in Weimar, Germany. In 1928, the National Broadcasting Company sets up a permanent, coast-to-coast network. In 1941, during World War II, American forces on Wake Island surrender to the Japanese. In 1948, former Japanese Premier Hideki Tojo and six other Japanese war leaders are executed in Tokyo.
December 23, 1980: The Western Reserve Transit Authority increases the regular adult fare from 50 cents to 60 cents; the fare for students, senior citizens and the handicapped goes from 25 cents to 30 cents.
Ron Jaworksi, quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles and former Youngstown State star, gets to celebrate even though his team lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 35-27. The losing margin was small enough that the Eagles still captured the NFL Eastern Division championship.
Advertisement: Jewel Mart in the Boardman and Liberty plazas. Terry Bradshaw cowhide football, $6.94; GE cassette recorder, $18.74; Entx head-to-head electronic football, uses 3 AA batteries, $29.97.
December 23, 1965: A father and his small daughter are killed and seven others are injured, four critically, in a violent three-car crash in Route 30 about three miles south of Lisbon. Dead are Merle Lee Tice, 26, and his daughter, Julia Ann, 1.
A 9-year-old Niles boy riding his bicycle goes through the ice on Mosquito Creek and he and his 10-year-old playmate who tried to save him drown. Dead are Richard Green, 9, and Joseph Knepper, 10.
Advertisement: Gray Drug Stores: 9 transistor Am/FM portable radio, $12.99; Bonnie Cuddles dressed doll, $2.99; award-winning fruit cake, 88 cents.
December 23, 1955: Christmas will be especially happy in 11 Youngstown district homes with the arrival of 21 family members from Italy under the auspices of the U.S. Refugee Relief program sponsored by the State Department.
Cash fares on Youngstown Municipal Railway Co. buses will go from 16 cents to 20 cents as the company invokes an emergency clause of the franchise based on earnings over the last two months.
Advertisement: Reichart's, 241 W. Federal St.: Toys reduced: $19.95 English doll carriage, $10; $1.95 gun and holster set, $1; $13.95 walking dolls, $8; all Lionel trains, 33 percent off.
December 23, 1930: Lt. Col. John C. Volka of Columbus will succeed Col. Wade C. Christy, former Mahoning County commissioner, as assistant adjutant of the Ohio National Guard when Gov.-elect George White takes office.
Today is Judge Peter B. Mulholland's birthday and he will celebrate it and Christmas by releasing 10 prisoners held in county jail on minor charges or failure to pay fines.
Advertisement: Stambaugh-Thompson Co. has Genuine Ives train sets, 20 percent off -- $70 sets now $55.95; football, $1.19; kiddies boxing gloves, $2.98; doll carriages, regularly $5.50, just $4.55.