Today is Thursday, Feb. 21, the 52nd day of 2008. There are 314 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Thursday, Feb. 21, the 52nd day of 2008. There are 314 days left in the year. On this date in 1965, black Muslim leader and civil rights activist Malcolm X, 39, is shot to death inside the Audubon Ballroom in New York by assassins identified as members of the Nation of Islam.

In 1885, the Washington Monument is dedicated. In 1907, Anglo-American poet W.H. Auden is born in York, England. In 1916, the World War I Battle of Verdun begins in France as German forces attack; the French are able to prevail after 10 months of fighting. In 1925, The New Yorker magazine makes its debut. In 1947, Edwin H. Land publicly demonstrates his Polaroid Land camera, which could produce a black-and-white photograph in 60 seconds. In 1972, President Nixon begins his historic visit to China as he and his wife, Pat, arrive in Shanghai. In 1973, Israeli fighter planes shoot down Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 over the Sinai Desert, killing more than 100 people. In 1975, former Attorney General John N. Mitchell and former White House aides H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman are sentenced to 2 1/2 to 8 years in prison for their roles in the Watergate cover-up. In 1995, Chicago adventurer Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon, landing in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada. In 2000, consumer advocate Ralph Nader announces his entry into the presidential race, bidding for the nomination of the Green Party.

February 21, 1983: Youngstown City Councilman Herman “Pete” Starks is injured when his 1981 Cadillac ran off Federal Plaza East and struck a pole near the Cedar Street Bridge. An accident report lists Starks condition as “fatigued” and he was cited for reckless operation.

Economic forecasters at Youngs–town State University say the Mahoning Valley will experience a slow economic recovery in 1983, but unemployment will remain higher than the national average.

Ohio’s industrial cities have the state’s highest infant mortality rates. In Cleveland and Youngstown the rate hovers at 20 deaths per 1,000 births. The state average is 12.3.

February 21, 1968: Fifth Ward Councilman Jack C. Hunter continues to be barred from attending negotiations between the city and Teamsters Local 377.

Veteran Congressman Michael J. Kirwan of Youngstown will face two opponents in the Democratic primary nomination for a 17th term in the House. Trumbull County Commissioner Robert Hagan and 81st State Rep. Thomas P. Gilmartin file candidacy petitions.

Two men working on the No. 1 blast furnace at the Campbell Works of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. are in serious condition in South Side Hospital with burns after an industrial accident.

February 21, 1958: Two-year-old Patty Jean Smith dies in a fire at the family’s home at 908 Hillman St. despite heroic efforts by her seven-year-old sister, Betty Lou, who rescued her three brothers. The children’s parents were out of the house when the fire broke out.

The Rev. Joseph F. Bresnyak, 56, pastor of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, dies in his car in Miami Beach, Fla., apparently after having a heart attack behind the wheel.

David R. Jones is elected vice president of the Metropolitan Savings and Loan Co. and J.R. Perkins is named secretary-treasurer.

February 21, 1933: Four hundred farmers, three of whom wrested a briefcase from a bank representative, make a futile attempt to stop foreclosure on a neighbor’s Ravenna farm. After the sale, the farmers booed, but disbursed peacefully.

A $7,000 fire guts the Gable Theater on S. Railroad Street in Sharon.

Eleven statewide organizations claiming a combined membership of 350,000 present Ohio Gov. George White a resolution endorsing bills before the state Legislature, including one that would equalize the cost of education in grade and high schools.