Today is Friday, March 3, the 62nd day of 2006. There are 303 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Friday, March 3, the 62nd day of 2006. There are 303 days left in the year. On this date in 1931, "The Star-Spangled Banner" officially becomes the national anthem of the United States.
In 1706, composer Johann Pachelbel, best remembered for his "Canon in D," dies in Nuremberg, Germany, at age 52. In 1845, Florida becomes the 27th state. In 1849, the U.S. Department of the Interior is established. In 1849, Congress creates the Minnesota Territory. In 1879, Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood becomes the first woman to be admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1940, Artie Shaw and his orchestra record "Frenesi" for RCA Victor. In 1969, Apollo 9 blasts off from Cape Kennedy on a mission to test the lunar module. In 1974, nearly 350 people die when a Turkish Airlines DC-10 crashes shortly after takeoff from Orly Airport in Paris. In 1991, in a case that sparks a national outcry, motorist Rodney King is severely beaten by Los Angeles police officers in a scene captured on amateur video. In 1991, 25 people are killed when a United Airlines Boeing 737-200 crashes while approaching the Colorado Springs airport.
March 3, 1981: Trumbull County Commissioner Margaret Dennison suggests that the county welfare office investigate dispensing food stamps by mail to alleviate long lines at the county's lone food stamp outlet in Warren.
With a hacksaw and a match, Champion Farmer Earl Brainard proves that a disputed gas line runs across his property and it is carrying gas. Brainard lost a suit in January when a court ruled that the line hasn't been used in years and that he wasn't entitled to royalties. Atlas extinguished the fire and refused to discuss the possible source of the gas in the line.
A Youngstown housing inspector who is alleged to have demanded and received a payoff from a local contractor in return for approving a rehabilitation project denies receiving any such payment and has not been charged with a crime or brought up on disciplinary charges.
March 3, 1966: The Columbiana County Airport Authority selects the old Swaney Airport near East Liverpool for development of a county airport.
If Congress approves the Commerce Department's $7 million plan for a proposed national disaster warning system, Youngstown will be one of six cities in the first teletype link to a new radar warning system.
Fifth Ward Councilman Jack Hunter says Youngstown should renew its efforts to annex adjacent smaller cities and unincorporated areas to the city. Local government is an inefficient "creation of another time," says Hunter.
March 3, 1956: A fight in the Mahoning County Republican executive committee results in reprisals, including a wage cut for one board employee. Frank Butler is demoted from statistician at $460 a month to assistant clerk at $435.
Two Youngstown policemen plead innocent to morals charges involving a 15-year-old South Side girl. They also face charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in juvenile court.
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March 3, 1931: About a score of patrons receive minor injuries in a terrific explosion followed by a $30,000 fire at the Lincoln Theater on Himrod Ave.
Truscon Steel Co., which had its poorest year since 1925 in 1930 still managed to show a net profit of $1.43 a share and reduce its liabilities from $2.6 million to $1.7 million.
The Nye campaign funds committee tells the Senate its investigation had yielded nothing to reflect upon the honor and integrity of Sen. James J. Davis of Pennsylvania, the former Secretary of Labor.
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