Today is Sunday, Feb. 20, the 51st day of 2005. There are 314 days left in the year. On this date in



Today is Sunday, Feb. 20, the 51st day of 2005. There are 314 days left in the year. On this date in 1962, astronaut John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth, flying aboard Friendship 7.
In 1790, Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II dies. In 1792, President Washington signs an act creating the U.S. Post Office. In 1809, the Supreme Court rules the power of the federal government is greater than that of any individual state. In 1839, Congress prohibits dueling in the District of Columbia. In 1895, abolitionist Frederick Douglass dies in Washington, D.C. In 1933, the House of Representatives completes congressional action on an amendment to repeal Prohibition. In 1944, during World War II, U.S. bombers begin raiding German aircraft manufacturing centers in a series of attacks that become known as "Big Week." In 1965, the Ranger 8 spacecraft crashes on the moon after sending back thousands of pictures of the lunar surface. In 2003, fire breaks out during a rock concert at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., killing 100 people and injuring about 200 others.
February 20, 1980: The total value of tangible personal property in Youngstown decreased by $21.3 million in 1979, while valuations in Ohio's seven other largest cities were going up. Almost $19 million of the loss was attributed to the retrenchment of Jones & amp; Laughlin, Republic and U.S. Steel companies in the city.
The Warren Board of Education approves an open enrollment program for the 1980-81 school year as part of the district's desegregation program.
The Campbell Board of Education may become the first district in Ohio to seek a second loan from the state to avoid bankruptcy. The district borrowed $750,000 in the fall, but remains in dire financial straits.
Youngstown State University Coach Bill Narduzzi signs for strong recruits to plug gaps likely to be caused by graduations. Those signed are Tom Porter, Cardinal Mooney center; Ed Demechko, Woodrow Wilson tight end; Mick O'Hara, Hubbard defensive back, and Barry Papa, Liberty defensive end.
February 20, 1965: Just in time for the observance of George Washington's birthday, a lost painting, "Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth, N.J.," is discovered in the basement of girls gym at the University of California, Berkeley. The 23-by-12 foot painting, a companion to the more famous "Washington Crossing the Delaware," was painted by Emanuel Leutze in 1854 and had apparently been stored in the basement at least 65 years ago.
Dr. Paul Lee, assistant professor of humanities and religion at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will be the opening speaker for the ninth annual Religious Emphasis Week at Youngstown University.
Boardman's Spartans defeat Brookfield High's Warriors 39-25 on the Boardman court to finish their 1964-65 basketball season undefeated, the first time in the school's history.
February 20, 1955: The Mahoning chapter of the Red Cross opens its 1955 campaign fund drive for $186,700 with a kick-off dinner at the YMCA.
Three thousand men, women and children are canvassing Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties on "Heart Sunday," seeking donations for the Youngstown Area Heart Association.
At least 40,000 Mahoning Valley homes are receiving Truth Dollar envelopes as part of the Crusade for Freedom that funds Radio Free Europe in the world battle against communism.
Rose Levi, 74, burns to death in her bed at a rest home in Cincinnati after her bed clothing caught fire from a cigarette being smoked by an attendant who was changing the linen.
North Lima defeats Goshen Union 61-52 to capture the Mahoning County Class B title before 1,100 fans at the Struthers Field House.
February 20, 1930: James Baker, 25, a Warren native, tells detectives in Detroit that he has committed eight murders by poison. Baker, who left Warren at 16 when he got a job on a freighter, said he sailed for several years and his crimes have been widespread. He was arrested on the word of New York police who sought him in connection with the death of a night watchman at the Guggenheim laboratories.
A delegation of nine Negro ministers calls on Mayor Joseph Heffernan demanding an investigation into the shooting death of Silas Crummey at the hands of a Youngstown policeman.
George Theil, 4, on his way home from St. Elizabeth Hospital with his mother and three siblings, after visiting his father, steps in front of a truck in South Avenue and is killed instantly. The family had been to the hospital to fulfill the father's dying wish that he see his entire family one last time.