Today is Friday, Dec. 12, the 347th day of 2008. There are 19 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Friday, Dec. 12, the 347th day of 2008. There are 19 days left in the year. On this date in 2000, George W. Bush is transformed into the president-elect as a divided U.S. Supreme Court reverses a state court decision for recounts in Florida’s contested election.

In 1787, Pennsylvania becomes the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. In 1870, Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina becomes the first black lawmaker sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1897, “The Katzenjammer Kids,” the pioneering comic strip created by Rudolph Dirks, makes its debut in the New York Journal. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt nominates Oscar Straus to be Secretary of Commerce and Labor; Straus becomes the first Jewish Cabinet member.

December 12, 1983: Youngstown Mayor-elect Patrick J. Ungaro names a veteran city policeman, Capt. Randall A. Wellington, 50, to head the police department in the Ungaro administration.

A record jackpot of $6.3 million is up for grabs in Ohio’s “Lotto” games.

Youngstown rackets figure Joseph “Little Joey” Naples enters a plea of guilty to firearms charges in U.S. District Court in Cleveland. He is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The Rt. Rev. James R. Moodey, bishop-coadjutor of the Cleveland based Diocese of Youngstown, will succeed retiring Bishop James R. Burt.

December 12, 1968: Burglars climb a rear fire escape to enter the State Theater, 215 W. Federal St., cracking a safe and opening vending machines. At least $537 was taken.

Christmas mail volume at the Youngstown Post Office is down 33 percent from 1967, says Postmaster Chester Bailey.

Wean United Inc. announces $4.7 million in capital expenditures for 1969 for all subsidiaries.

December 12, 1958: Concerned neighbors of Mrs. Jessie Parry, 76, of 1649 Mayfield Ave. prevent her from freezing to death after they check on her and find her lying on a davenport, without a blanket and no fire in the furnace. Temperatures are setting record lows, falling to 5 degrees overnight.

William J. Gallagher Jr., 37, president and treasurer of W.J. Gallagher Co., prominent Youngstown contractors, is killed when his car plunges down a 100-foot ravine off Logan Road near Route 304.

American League Umpire Bill McKinley is among the sports speakers at the School Safety Patrol Christmas Party at the Palace Theater.

December 12, 1933: H.G. Dalton, chairman of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co., tells the Army engineers that his company will bear its portion of whatever contributions are required from local interests to construct a Beaver-Mahoning waterway.

Now that scholastic football is done for the season, more than 500 basketball teams will be turned loose for the 1933-34 season in Youngstown schools and church leagues. As the sport gains popularity, some of the games are expected to attract 5,000 fans.

Youngstowners throng the Palace Theater for showings of a holiday movie, “Little Women,” starring Katharine Hepburn as Jo.