Today is Thursday, Dec. 29, the 363rd day of 2005. There are two days left in the year. On this date

Today is Thursday, Dec. 29, the 363rd day of 2005. There are two days left in the year. On this date in 1845, Texas is admitted as the 28th state.
In 1170, Archbishop Thomas Becket is murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in England. In 1808, the 17th president of the United States, Andrew Johnson, is born in Raleigh, N.C. In 1813, the British burn Buffalo, N.Y., during the War of 1812. In 1851, the first American Young Men's Christian Association is organized, in Boston. In 1890, the Wounded Knee massacre takes place in South Dakota as some 300 Sioux Indians are killed by U.S. troops sent to disarm them. In 1913, the first movie serial, "The Adventures of Kathlyn," premieres in Chicago. In 1934, Japan renounces the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 and the London Naval Treaty of 1930. In 1940, during World War II, Germany begins dropping incendiary bombs on London. In 1975, a bomb explodes in the main terminal of New York's LaGuardia Airport, killing 11 people. In 1989, playwright Vaclav Havel is elected president of Czechoslovakia by the country's Federal Assembly, becoming the first non-Communist to attain the post in more than four decades.
December 29, 1980: Condemning Iranians as "barbarians," President-elect Ronald Reagan says the United States should not pay ransom for the release of the American hostages. He said the hostage holders shouldn't be waiting for him to succeed President Carter before releasing the hostages.
David A. Stockman, the Michigan congressman nominated by President-elect Reagan to direct the office of management and budget, was named in "Red Squad" files kept by the Michigan State Police because of his role in an anti-war group, "Vietnam Summer" during his student days at Michigan State University. Stockman said he was unaware the group was the subject of police surveillance.
Sharon's nonuniformed city employees lodge a protest over the layoff of two street department workers and two members of the custodial staff. Eleven employees paid with federal CETA funds have not been laid off.
December 29, 1965: Lowellville Village Council marks the end of an era by selling the village electric and water distribution systems to Ohio Edison Co. and the Ohio Water Service. Ohio Edison offered $258,560 and Ohio Water, $140,100, both slightly over the minimums established by Village Council for the sale.
Atty. Philip A. Morgante, 39, a young attorney who had already earned recognition as a leader in his profession, dies in St. Elizabeth Hospital after surgery for a malignant brain tumor.
Margaret Peters, a senior student at the St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing, is crowned queen of the school's annual "Sno Ball" dance at the Mural Room.
December 29, 1955: More than 100 massed pickets move quickly into the normal 12-man picket lines and prevent 125 back-to-work employees from walking in a tight line through the gates. Police seize two men as one of the workers is struck down while attempting to cross the line.
WFMJ-TV will record another first in Youngstown's history when its cameras televise the swearing in ceremonies for Mayor Frank X. Kryzan and members of his cabinet during the Adelaide Snyder Show.
The Mahoning County Welfare Advisory Board presents county commissioners with a proposed $1.6 million budget for 1956, which includes an increase of nearly $200,000 for operation of the county home.
December 29, 1930: Cyrus S. Eaton wins his fight to halt the merger of Youngstown Sheet & amp; Tube Co. with Bethlehem Steel Corp. when Mahoning County Common Pleas Judge David G. Jenkins grants an injunction restraining the companies from combining. The judge ruled that Sheet & amp; Tube stockholders were not given accurate and candid information prior to the merger vote.
More than 200 members and guests attend the annual Spinsters' Club masquerade ball at the Youngstown Club. Benny Thompson's University Revelers provide the music for dancing and a buffet supper is served at midnight.
Women want to be able to smoke in dining cars on the Boston and Maine Railroad. A poll of 7,182 passengers showed that 74 percent of the women and 80 percent of the men in favor of the proposition.