Years Ago

Today is Thursday, Dec. 17, the 351st day of 2009. There are 14 days left in the year. On this date In 1777, France recognizes United States’ independence.

In 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first successful sustained powered flights by a heavier-than-air craft, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. In 1922, the last British troops leave the Irish Free State. In 1941, Japanese troops begin invasion of North Borneo in World War II. In 1944, the U.S. Army announces the end of its policy of excluding Japanese-Americans from the West Coast. In 1957, the United States successfully test-fires the Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time. In 1969, the U.S. Air Force closes its Project “Blue Book” by concluding there was no evidence of extraterrestrial spaceships behind thousands of UFO sightings. In 1979, in a case that aggravated racial tensions, Arthur McDuffie, a black insurance executive, is fatally beaten after a police chase in Miami. Four white police officers are later acquitted of charges stemming from McDuffie’s death. In 1991, Boris Yeltsin and Mikhail Gorbachev agree to dissolve the Soviet Union and proclaim a new commonwealth on New Year’s Day. In 1997, thirty-four countries sign a treaty aimed at eradicating bribery in international business.

December 17, 1984: Mahoning County Common Pleas Judge Elwyn Jenkins orders the reinstatement of Neil Altman as commissioner of the Youngstown Board of Health.

Jim Gabrish, senior offensive tackle for The Citadel and a graduate of Canfield High, is selected to the Kodak University Division 1-AA All American team.

The East Ohio Gas Co. presents a check for $1,000 to the Western Reserve Transit Authority to help defray the cost of operation and implementing a downtown trolley service.

December 17, 1969: California Judge William B. Keene, who will try the defendants in the Sharon Tate murder case, was born in Youngstown and lived at 1525 Fifth Ave. until the family moved when he was 10 years old.

Corporal punishment and suspension or expulsion will continue to be used as disciplinary measures in the Youngstown public schools, but teachers are required to treat all students equally.

December 17, 1959: Responding to a deluge of mail, acting Youngstown Postmaster Chester Bailey says he’s put an extra 200 clerks and 180 mail carriers on the job.

A Trumbull County Common Pleas jury finds Warren racketeer Mike Farah guilty of assault and battery on Jean Blair, chairman of the Trumbull County Republican Party. He faces as much as six months in jail and a $200 fine.

Mayor-elect Frank R. Franko names Atty. Sam S. Fekett law director and Abe Harshman, a public accountant, finance director in his incoming administration.

The loss is estimated at $500,000 in a fire that leveled the Steubenville Country Club. Firemen said they were hampered by high winds and low water pressure.

December 17, 1934: W.T. Filmer, former chairman of the safety committee of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce, says, “It would be a terrible mistake if the city builds a fire department at the old location, Boardman and Hazel Streets” because the area is too congested and the streets too narrow.

General Fireproofing Co. directors declare a preferred dividend of $1.75 a share, up from$1 a year earlier on an increase in sales of 30 percent.

Rabbi I.E. Philo at the Temple Rodef Sholem says he sees Father Charles Coughlin and his League of Social Justice as “a propagandist in the best sense ... making propaganda for democracy and for the right of all men to enjoy a fair share of the good things of life.”