Today is Sunday, Sept. 21, the 265th day of 2008. There are 101 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Sunday, Sept. 21, the 265th day of 2008. There are 101 days left in the year. On this date in 1938, a hurricane strikes parts of New York and New England, causing widespread damage and claiming some 700 lives.

In 1897, the New York Sun runs its famous editorial that declares, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” In 1937, “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien, is first published. In 1948, Milton Berle makes his debut as permanent host of “The Texaco Star Theater” on NBC-TV. In 1970, “NFL Monday Night Football” makes its debut on ABC-TV as the Cleveland Browns defeat the visiting New York Jets, 31-21. In 1982, Amin Gemayel, brother of Lebanon’s assassinated president-elect, Bashir Gemayel, is himself elected president. In 1982, National Football League players begin a 57-day strike, their first regular-season walkout ever. In 1983, in a speech to the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Interior Secretary James G. Watt jokingly describes a special advisory panel as consisting of “a black ... a woman, two Jews and a cripple.” (Although Watt later apologizes, he eventually resigns.) In 1987, NFL players go on a 24-day strike, mainly over the issue of free agency.

September 21, 1983: The Mahoning Valley Economic Devel–opment Corp. is planning an industrial park in Warren similar to the 250-acre Youngstown Commerce Park in Jackson Township.

Welfare rolls have grown to 36,124, equivalent to one in eight Mahoning County residents on some form of welfare assistance, the welfare department said. Those numbers do not include people who are only receiving food stamps.

Carl A. Nunziato, vice president of Dollar Bank and chairman of the Governor’s Council on Disabled Persons, says too many motorists disregard signs indicating that certain parking spaces are reserved for the disabled and are unaware of fines for parking illegally in such spaces.

September 21, 1968: Area law enforcement authorities are alerted to watch for two Youngstown area men who broke out of the Lexington (Ky.) County Jail. The pair was arrested after trying to buy $1 worth of gas with a counterfeit $20. One of them is Robert D. Parks who is under indictment for first-degree manslaughter in the shooting of Lloyd McCullough during an argument in Youngstown.

Two bandits pistol-whip Albert Suleiman, 49, operator of the Baghdad Market at 1739 Wilson Ave. Twenty-four stitches are needed to close scalp wounds.

Mahoning County Prosecutor Frank P. Anzelotti Jr., says he’s opposed to federal gun registration because he doesn’t believe it would work, but says states should adopt a permit-type system.

September 21, 1958: Mahoning County voter registration passes a previous all-time record with more than 147,000 registered voters.

Congressman Dante B. Fascell, a Florida Democrat, will be the main speaker at the annual Columbus Day banquet sponsored by Duca Degil Abruzzi Columbo Society at Hotel Pick-Ohio.

Students at Youngstown University will mark 50 years of progress of their university at the Golden Anniversary student convocation in the Palace Theater.

September 21, 1933: Youngs–town applies for $8 million from the federal government for slum elimination and new housing.

Evening art classes are being organized at Youngstown College for men and women. S. Trinkle will be the instructor for the classes, which will meet twice a week.