Today is Sunday, Feb. 24, the 55th day of 2008. There are 311 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Sunday, Feb. 24, the 55th day of 2008. There are 311 days left in the year. On this date in 1868, the House of Representatives impeaches President Andrew Johnson following his attempted dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton; Johnson is later acquitted by the Senate.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issues a papal bull, or edict, outlining his calendar reforms. (The Gregorian Calendar is the calendar in general use today). In 1803, in its Marbury v. Madison decision, the Supreme Court establishes judicial review of the constitutionality of statutes. In 1821, Mexican rebels proclaim the “Plan de Iguala,” their declaration of independence from Spain. In 1920, a fledgling German political party holds its first meeting of importance in Munich; it becomes known as the Nazi Party, and its chief spokesman is Adolf Hitler. In 1983, a congressional commission releases a report condemning the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II as a “grave injustice.” In 1988, in a ruling that expands legal protections for parody and satire, the Supreme Court overturns a $200,000 award that the Rev. Jerry Falwell had won against Hustler magazine and publisher Larry Flynt.

February 24, 1983: The lull in gangland slayings in the Youngstown district may be the calm before the storm, says Malcolm A. Lancy, chairman of the Pennsylvania Crime Commission. He predicts a new outbreak of violence as Sebastian John LaRocca, head of the Pittsburgh La Cosa Nostra family, battles for control of Youngstown with James “Jack White” Licavoli, head of the Cleveland family.

GF Business Equipment reports fourth quarter net income of $267,000 in 1982, but a net loss of almost $1.3 million for the year.

Workers who hold manufacturing jobs in the Youngstown-Warren area take home the fattest paychecks in the state, Ohio Bureau of Employment figures show, earning $2.41 an hour more per hour than similar workers in other parts of Ohio. Meanwhile, nonmanufacturing workers in the Mahoning Valley earn less than comparable workers in other urban areas.

February 24, 1968: Youngstown State University and the Youngs–town Urban Development Department reach an agreement on the $1.9 million second phase of urban renewal in the university area, which will cover an area bounded by Fifth Avenue and Arlington, Elm and Grant streets.

Campbell Mayor Rocco Mico threatens to veto an ordinance that will give city police and fire employees 5.3 percent raises and 5 percent raises for all other city employees. Mico says the contract is not worth the paper it is written on because the city has no money unless a half-percent income tax increase is approved by voters.

February 24, 1958: Mahoning County is installing floodlights around the Courthouse, hoping that bright lights will discourage troublesome starlings from roosting on the building.

A new hall opens to house 35 boys from all parts of Pennsylvania at George Junior Republic correctional institution near Grove City. The boys’ cases will be studying by Dr. William Swartley, who has doctorates in medicine and psychiatry. George Junior houses 275 boys.

February 24, 1933: Youngstown City Council approves the purchase of 11 new police cars at an expense of not more than $9,000.

J.E. “Doc” Barnes administers the physical exam to 412 prospective Youngstown policemen, requiring each to expand his chest by at least three inches, to work with 250 pound and 60 pound weights to test arm and leg muscles and to do 10 chin-ups. Men must be at least 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weigh more than 150 pounds to be considered.

New Castle Mayor Charles B. Mayne says girls can’t shock him with their modern clothes. “I lived in a country where all women wore trousers,” he said. Where was that? Alaska.

Youngstown City Engineer Grant M. Cook and Utilities Engineer E.E. Ingerson say that if the city is going to operate a municipal power plant, it should go whole hog, covering the entire city and supplanting Ohio Edison Co. The estimated cost for such a power plant and distribution system is $10 million.