Today is Sunday, July 13, the 195th day of 2008. There are 171 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Sunday, July 13, the 195th day of 2008. There are 171 days left in the year. On this date in 1793, French revolutionary writer Jean-Paul Marat is stabbed to death in his bath by Charlotte Corday, who was executed four days later.

In 1787, Congress enacts an ordinance governing the Northwest Territory. In 1863, deadly rioting against the Civil War military draft erupts in New York City. In 1886, Father Edward Joseph Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town, is born in County Roscommon, Ireland. In 1960, John F. Kennedy wins the Democratic presidential nomination at his party’s convention in Los Angeles. In 1972, George McGovern claims the Democratic presidential nomination at the party’s convention in Miami Beach, Fla. In 1977, a blackout lasting 25 hours hits the New York City area. In 1978, Lee Iacocca is fired as president of Ford Motor Co. by chairman Henry Ford II.

July 13, 1983: General Motors Corp.’s Lordstown car and van plants are operating at peak levels and still facing order backlogs. The plants will attempt to make the 1984 model changeovers in August with a minimum of down time.

Ground is broken for a new Youngstown –area Jewish Mikval, which contains a ritual pool, in the area behind children of Israel Temple on Logan Way in Liberty Township.

Sheriff James A. Traficant’s failure to meet a court deadline has derailed his much publicized campaign to stop home foreclosures during periods of economic hardship. Traficant has filed suit on behalf of 12 property owners faced with foreclosure.

July 13, 1968: Lordstown township trustees approve a zone change clearing the way for an industrial park in the southern end of the township, about a half-mile east of General Motors.

Sister Raphael Herpy, an Ursuline nun in Youngstown, is the first nun in the nation to achieve the Red Cross 50-mile swim award. She and her twin sister, Sister Ann Patrick, will teach at Sacred Heart School in the fall.

July 13, 1958: A week of festivities is being planned for the Nov. 11 dedication of the new St. Columba Cathedral by Bishop Emmet M. Walsh of the Youngstown Diocese.

Poland Presbyterian Church will ease its growing pains by building an educational building between the house of worship and the parish house on the village green.

July 13, 1933: The load of relief cases in Youngstown is reduced by 4,029 families from the peak of 12.507 in May.

Thomas P. Kearns, superintendent of the state division of safety and hygiene, announces that there were 11 deaths in June due to heat prostration, probably a high mark for such fatalities in one month since Ohio instituted workmen’s compensation.