Today is Wednesday, Feb. 20, the 51st day of 2008. There are 315 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 20, the 51st day of 2008. There are 315 days left in the year. On this date in 1962, astronaut John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth as he flies aboard the Mercury spacecraft Friendship 7.

In 1792, President Washington signs an act creating the U.S. Post Office. In 1809, the Supreme Court, in United States v. Peters, rules the power of the federal government is greater than that of any individual state. In 1839, Congress prohibits dueling in the District of Columbia. In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt signs an immigration act which excludes “idiots, imbeciles, feebleminded persons, epileptics, insane persons” from being admitted to the United States. In 1938, Anthony Eden resigns as British foreign secretary following Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s decision to negotiate with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. In 1944, during World War II, U.S. bombers begin raiding German aircraft manufacturing centers in a series of attacks that becomes known as “Big Week.”

February 20, 1983: Two developers, Andrew Burin and Richard E. Mills, are moving ahead with plans for downtown Youngstown hotels.

Ronald R. Anderson says his new business plan for GF Business Equipment inc. will move the company toward better business and profitability by the year’s third or fourth quarter.

A consultant heading a major study of the Youngstown public schools says he is fearful that the board of education members may end up making decisions out of political expediency instead of studying the entire report.

February 20, 1968: The United Auto Workers Union authorizes a strike at the general Motors Corp.’s Fisher Body-Chevrolet Assembly plant in Lordstown if agreement is not reached on local issues.

The Freedoms Foundation issues awards to 10 individuals, seven schools, two corporations and the community of Louisville in the Youngstown District.

Six Youngstown State University coeds are vying for queen of the ROTC program at YSU. They are Bonnie Lou Burger, Claudia van Ostenwalden, Leslie Ann Emery, Diane F. Guthrie, Claudia Ward and Constance Murray.

February 20, 1958: The U.S. Steel Corp. makes a $75,000 gift to the Youngstown Hospital Association building fund campaign.

A former postal clerk and two other men are charged with stealing and cashing more than 60 government checks from the U.S. mails in Youngstown.

Richard R. Wilfong is selected “mayor for a day” for the 20th annual Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y Civics Day in Youngstown.

February 20, 1933: Clark Wagner, Poland’s marshal, shoots it out with two men he surprised on the grounds of Dr. Joseph Sofranec’s home on Springfield Road. Evidence was found that they were setting a bomb at the home of the chiropractor, who had recently received threats.

Edward Lenoski, 9, of Warren drowns when he and four companions fall through the ice into four feet of water in Mosquito Creeks. Dan Marcarello, 15, plunges into the icy water and saves the four other boys, who included two of his younger brothers and a younger brother of Edward.

Ruth Brown, 18, is killed instantly when she is struck by an auto after alighting from a bus at Lyon Boulevard and Youngstown-Poland Road.