Today is Monday, Dec. 18, the 352nd day of 2006. There are 13 days left in the year. On this date in 1944, in a pair of rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the wartime relocation of Japanese-

Today is Monday, Dec. 18, the 352nd day of 2006. There are 13 days left in the year. On this date in 1944, in a pair of rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the wartime relocation of Japanese-Americans, but also says undeniably loyal Americans of Japanese ancestry could not continue to be detained.
In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, is declared in effect. In 1892, Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" publicly premieres in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1940, Adolf Hitler signs a secret directive ordering preparations for a Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. (Operation Barbarossa is launched in June 1941.) In 1956, Japan is admitted to the United Nations. In 1956, the panel game show "To Tell the Truth" debuts on CBS TV. In 1969, Britain's Parliament abolishes the death penalty for murder. In 1972, the United States begins heavy bombing of North Vietnamese targets during the Vietnam War. (The bombardment ends 12 days later.)
December 18, 1981: Sharon City Council considers 10 layoffs and a 3.3-mill tax increase to balance the proposed 1982 budget of 5.4 million.
Cuts of 50 percent in vacation, loss of certain cost of living allowances and changes in medical coverage are expected to cost most of General Motors' salaried employees 300 to 600 annually.
December 18, 1966: Youngstown University is providing financial aid totaling 771,460 to 1,712 students this academic year, says Dr. Albert L. Pugsley, university president.
Youngstown police and a deputy sheriff capture a 19-year-old shoplifter under the Market Street Bridge after a chase through downtown during which three warning shots were fired in the air. The youth had stolen a wallet and cosmetics set at the G.M. McKelvey Store.
December 18, 1956: A 19-year-old Struthers drag racer who was indicted for traffic manslaughter in the death of 11-year-old bicyclist James Shepas is placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty before Judge David G. Jenkins.
The Mahoning County Board of Elections is continuing its investigation of possible voter fraud involving reports that ballots in Precinct F of Youngstown's Second Ward were taken out of the precinct, marked and then returned for counting.
In an open letter to voters of the Second and Seventh Wards, Youngstown Mayor Frank X. Kryzan apologizes for threatening to block improvement projects in those wards as long as they are represented by two & quot;rebel & quot; Democrats.
December 18, 1931: The Mahoning County grand jury investigating the Telegram's purchase of the old city market house for the site of new offices says three Telegram officials and city council members who were involved in the deal were evasive and contradictory in their testimony, but no indictments are returned.
Mayor-elect Mark Moore names Leroy Goodwin to be his new police chief, signaling a shake-up in the department after the first of the year.