Today is Thursday, May 17, the 137th day of 2007. There are 228 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Thursday, May 17, the 137th day of 2007. There are 228 days left in the year. On this date in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court hands down its Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision, which finds that racially segregated public schools are inherently unequal, and therefore unconstitutional.
In 1792, the New York Stock Exchange has its origins as a group of brokers meets under a tree located on what is now Wall Street. In 1875, the first Kentucky Derby is run; the winner is Aristides. In 1937, Teddy Hill and His Orchestra record "King Porter Stomp" for RCA Records in New York; one of the featured musicians is a newcomer, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. In 1938, Congress passes the Second Vinson Act, providing for a strengthened U.S. Navy. In 1939, Britain's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrive in Quebec on the first visit to Canada by reigning British sovereigns. In 1940, the Nazis occupy Brussels, Belgium, during World War II. In 1946, President Truman seizes control of the nation's railroads, delaying but not preventing a threatened strike by engineers and trainmen. In 1973, the Senate begins its televised hearings into the Watergate scandal.
May 17, 1982: Mizell "Chick" Stewart, a retired Youngstown police sergeant, becomes a 33rd Degree Mason at the 101st annual session of the United Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
Sheriff James A. Traficant Jr. withdraws affidavits against two men he had accused of alleged irregularities in operation of the Youngstown Municipal Airport parking concession.
Wade W. Smith, chief probation officer at the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center, receives his law degree from the University of Akron and passes the Ohio Bar Exam.
Roger D. Heran, a member of the White House staff for 15 months, joins Commuter Aircraft Corp. as vice president for administration. The company is developing a plan to build a 50-passenger aircraft in Youngstown.
May 17, 1967: Howard F. Black Jr., immediate past president of the Youngstown Area Board of Realtors, pledges 2,000 toward continuing sports in Youngstown public schools. Sports, kindergarten and other programs are slated for elimination after failure of a 7.5-mill levy.
The New York Times reports that a general, a congressman, an admiral and two well-known singers are among several thousand victims of an extortion racket that prayed on homosexuals over the last decade.
Mrs. John E. Griffith is elected president of Youngstown's Children Theater.
May 17, 1957: Nearly 1,000 production employees of Truscon Steel Division of Republic Steel Corp. are laid off because 60 shipping department employees are continuing their strike.
State Rep. George D. Tablack blocks the extension of Youngstown Municipal Court's jurisdiction into areas outside the city. With the elimination of justices of the peace, the General Assembly attempted to pass legislation that would have given Youngstown authority for all areas except Smith Township, which would have been assigned to Alliance Municipal Court. Tablack supports creation of a county court.
May 17, 1932: Youngstown City Council approves legislation regulating the leasing of land at Lake Milton that protects the city's riparian rights and requiring lessees to carry liability insurance.
Republican Senate leaders say it will be necessary to recess in June long enough to accommodate the political conventions, but that Congress will have to reconvene in July and August to get its work done.
Youngstown City Council gives second reading to a licensing ordinance aimed at chain stores. A license for a single store is 3. Subsequent licenses are 25 for up to five stores and 50 for each store above that.