Today in History

Today is Monday, May 15, the 135th day of 2006. There are 230 days left in the year. On this date in 1942, wartime gasoline rationing goes into effect in 17 states, limiting sales to three gallons a week for non-essential vehicles.
In 1856, Lyman Frank Baum, the author of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," is born in Chittenango, N.Y. In 1886, poet Emily Dickinson dies in Amherst, Mass. In 1911, the Supreme Court orders the dissolution of Standard Oil Company, ruling it is in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. In 1918, U.S. airmail begins service between Washington, Philadelphia and New York. In 1940, nylon stockings go on general sale for the first time in the United States. In 1963, astronaut L. Gordon Cooper blasts off aboard Faith 7 on the final mission of the Project Mercury space program.
May 15, 1981: The Edward J. DeBartolo Corp. will buy the 52-acre site and building of Youngstown Sheet & amp; Tube Co., which was built in 1958 and is across from the DeBartolo Corp. building.
Democratic legislative leaders of seven states are forming a coalition to lobby to protect the Great Lakes region from predicted economic hardships that may be caused by federal budge cuts.
In concert at the Packard Music Hall in Warren, Merle Haggard and Billie Jo Spears.
May 15, 1966: New programs of patient care planned at North and South Side hospitals are outlined by R.W. Bachmeyer, executive director, including coronary care units, an open heart surgical program and psychiatric in-patient care.
One hundred colorful years of the Rayen School are captured in a centennial pageant being presented several times during the week by 300 pupils of the city's oldest public school.
Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara's effort to make cuts in Army Reserve forces gets a strongly worded rejection from the Senate defense committee.
May 15, 1956: The Medusa Portland Cement Co. of Wampum will break ground for a new $12 million cement plant.
The death of Ronald Saverko, 16, in an uncovered Boardman Park drainage ditch causes Randall Rothgeb, president of the Boardman Business Men's and Civic Association, to urge township residents to get behind construction of a complete and proper drainage system.
Lewis L. Strauss, chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, will receive an honorary doctor of engineering degree at the 34th annual commencement of Youngstown University.
May 15, 1931: A 24-year-old Youngstown woman is free on $2,500 bond after striking and killing 9-year-old Mildred Dickerhoff near Coitsville after she alighted from a school bus and began crossing the road. The motorist, who passed the van, said she didn't know it was a school bus.
The schedule and ticket prices for the new Warner Theater in Youngstown are announced. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. daily; general admission, 25 cents till 1:30 p.m.; from 1:30 till 6 p.m., 35 cents on the main floor, 25 cents in the balcony; after 6 p.m., 50 cents on the floor, 35 cents in the balcony.
Atty. Abe Levin is preparing petitions seeking the ouster of Mahoning County Prosecutor Ray Thomas. If 1,000 signatures are collected, a hearing on the charges against Thomas will be held.