Today is Sunday, Dec. 7, the 342nd day of 2008. There are 24 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Sunday, Dec. 7, the 342nd day of 2008. There are 24 days left in the year. On this date in 1941, Japanese forces attack American and British territories and possessions in the Pacific, including the home base of the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

In 1787, Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. In 1796, electors choose John Adams to be the second president of the United States. In 1808, electors choose James Madison to be the fourth president of the United States. In 1836, Martin Van Buren is elected the eighth president of the United States. In 1946, fire breaks out at the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta; the blaze kills 119 people, including hotel founder W. Frank Winecoff. In 1972, America’s last moon mission to date is launched as Apollo 17 blasts off from Cape Canaveral, Fla. In 1982, convicted murderer Charlie Brooks Jr. becomes the first U.S. prisoner to be executed by injection, at a prison in Huntsville, Texas. In 1983, in Madrid, Spain, an Aviaco DC-9 collides on a runway with an Iberia Air Lines Boeing 727 that was accelerating for takeoff, killing all 42 people aboard the DC-9 and 51 aboard the Iberia jet. In 1987, 43 people are killed after a gunman aboard a Pacific Southwest Airlines jetliner in California apparently opens fire on a fellow passenger, the two pilots and himself, causing the plane to crash. In 1988, a major earthquake in the Soviet Union devastates northern Armenia; official estimates put the death toll at 25,000.

December 7, 1983: Lake Milton residents are seeking toll-free telephone service to Youngstown and locations in Portage County.

A federal grand jury in Cleveland indicts a Youngstown man, a Pennsylvania state trooper and two others in an arson for pay conspiracy that resulted in the destruction of an Ashtabula County tavern in 1979.

The dozen or so remaining workers at the Pollock Co. located in downtown Youngstown have been told the company will close permanently after the last piece of equipment is shipped from the plant.

December 7, 1968: A massive power failure blacks out most of Austintown, North Jackson and Mineral Ridge, affecting thousands of residents, closing business and cancelling basketball games at Austintown Fitch and Jackson Milton high schools.

The Dollar Savings & Trust Co. and the Mahoning National Bank will have branches in the Southern Park Mall that is under construction at Boardman Center.

Diane Tallo, a YSU senior majoring in mathematics, is crowned 1968 Sweetheart by YSU engineering students at the annual Sweetheart Ball at Mahoning Country Club.

December 7, 1958: Esther Hamilton’s 28th annual Alias Santa Claus show raises a record $43,321 for Youngstown’s needy.

The federal government asks a New York federal judge to issue a permanent injunction against the merger of Bethlehem Steel Corp. and Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co.

U.S. Rep. Michael J. Kirwan gets a first-hand look at the improved education being offered to American Indians during a visit to the Phoenix Indian School in Arizona.

December 7, 1933: An investigation is underway into “split purchases” by city departments to avoid a city charter requirement that any purchase over $500 be put out for bid. The water department bought a Dodge truck in three parts from W.O. Strausbaugh Co., paying $385 for the chassis; $495 for the cab and $350 for the body.

Officials at the Mahoning County relief headquarters in Central Tower are investigating reports that some men have quit mill jobs to take jobs with the CWA.

Youngstown Police Chief Leroy Goodwin is named to a committee of 21 police officials who will carry on a concerted fight against crime in the state.

2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.