Today is Saturday, June 17, the 168th day of 2006. There are 197 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Saturday, June 17, the 168th day of 2006. There are 197 days left in the year. On this date in 1775, the Revolutionary War Battle of Bunker Hill takes place near Boston. The battle, which actually occurs on Breed's Hill, is a costly victory for the British, who suffer heavy losses while dislodging the rebels.
In 1856, in Philadelphia, the Republican Party opens its first convention. In 1885, the Statue of Liberty arrives in New York City aboard the French ship Isere. In 1928, Amelia Earhart embarks on a trans-Atlantic flight from Newfoundland to Wales -- the first by a woman. In 1940, France asks Germany for terms of surrender in World War II. In 1944, the republic of Iceland is established. In 1948, a United Air Lines DC6 crashes near Mount Carmel, Pa., killing all 43 people on board. In 1963, the Supreme Court strikes down rules requiring the recitation of the Lord's Prayer or reading of Biblical verses in public schools. In 1972, President Nixon's eventual downfall begins with the arrest of five burglars inside Democratic national headquarters in Washington's Watergate complex. In 1986, President Reagan announces the retirement of U.S. Chief Justice Warren Earl Burger. In 1986, singer Kate Smith dies in Raleigh, N.C., at age 79.
June 17, 1981: Joseph G. Butler III, 79, director of the Butler Institute of American Art for 47 years and a partner in the Butler, Wick & amp; Co. brokerage house, dies in South Side Hospital. He was a member of one of the most prominent families in Valley history and an important artist in his own right. His grandfather established the institute.
Afghan guerrillas set fire to the Soviet air base north of Kabul, detonating ammunition and fuel and forcing Russian jet fighters and helicopters to flee the flames.
John S. Knight, editor emeritus and main owner of 32 newspapers in the Knight-Ridder group, dies at 86, hours after visiting the offices of the first newspaper in the chain, the Akron Beacon Journal.
June 17, 1966: The sale of the Hotel Pick-Ohio from the Albert Pick hotel chain to 131 Corp., a group of local investors, is closed for $700,000.
G.N. Limbert of Poland, former vice president and stockholder in the Broumas Theaters Inc., takes over operation of the Boardman Plaza Theater as sole owner and relinquishes an interest in the chain's four other local theaters, the State, Newport, Liberty Plaza and Lincoln Knolls Plaza theaters.
Two 15-year-old Warren boys are injured in a rumble of 30 teenagers in front of a S. Pine Street pool hall.
June 17, 1956: George Steimle, 38, gets stuck in a storm sewer and drowns while trying to rescue 7-year-old Ronald Salo, who Steimle saw fall into the drainage ditch. Nearby farmers had tied a rope around Steimle and lowered him into the sewer, but he was unconscious when pulled out. The boy's body was recovered by sheriff's deputies.
Girard Safety Service Director Thomas R. Rees will meet with Youngstown Mayor Frank X. Kryzan to discuss a possible contract between the two cities for furnishing water from Girard.
A "sun-car," a tug-boat driven by solar energy and electric motor run by candle-light are being demonstrated in General Motors "Preview of Progress" show opening at the Buhl Planetarium in Pittsburgh.
June 17, 1931: The first circus train of the year arrives in Youngstown and Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey are setting up the big tent on Wright Field.
Charges that the P & amp;O Co. paid former Youngstown Traction Commissioner Harry Engle $100 to $500 a month and that Prosecutor Ray L. Thomas tried to get a share of Engle's collections are made in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
President Herbert Hoover stands in review as Ohio's Civil War veterans march in Columbus for the annual state reunion of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is the first chief executive to review an Ohio GAR parade since William McKinley.