Years Ago

Today is Friday, Dec. 25th, the 359th day of 2009. There are six days left in the year. This is Christmas Day. On this date in 1818, “Silent Night,” written by Franz Gruber and Father Joseph Mohr, is performed for the first time, at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria.

In A.D. 336, the first recorded celebration of Christmas on Dec. 25 takes place in Rome. In 1066, William the Conqueror is crowned king of England. In 1776, Gen. George Washington and his troops cross the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, N.J. In 1926, Hirohito becomes emperor of Japan, succeeding his father, Emperor Yoshihito. (Hirohito is formally enthroned almost two years later.)

December 25, 1984: The Youngstown Foundation distributed a record $1.6 million over the year to area organizations, agencies and schools, an audit released by the Dollar Savings & Trust Co. shows.

Visitors to Bethlehem are estimated at 6,000, about two thirds the number a year earlier, and Bethlehem tourist director George Sammour blames the lag on the world economy.

Playing at the Southern Park and Eastwood cinemas, “City Heat,” starring Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds; at the Newport, “Beverly Hills Cop,” starring Eddie Murphy, and at Movie World, “Falling in Love,” starring Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep.

December 25, 1969: Capt. John K. Taft is home in Youngstown for Christmas after a year’s tour of duty in Vietnam during which he received 10 military honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross for courage under fire.

It’s a merry and affluent Christmas in Youngstown in 1969, one of the best in recent years, reports Vindicator Business Editor George R. Reiss.

Playing at the Eastwood Mall and Newport theaters, “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice;” at the Wedgewood, Steve McQueen in “The Reivers” and at Boardman Plaza, “101 Dalmatians” from Walt Disney.

December 25, 1959: Mayor-elect Frank R. Franko announces that Peter Venorsky will replace Paul H. Cress as Youngstown police chief.

Thousands of Youngstown area travelers head for the highways and flood plane, train and bus terminals for holiday travel.

Police Chief Paul Cress, who will return to the ranks of the police department after Jan. 1, is given a luncheon by friends and businessmen, and a model of a new 1960 automobile he will receive when he steps down. Former Chief Edward Allen was also given a new car when he left office in 1954,

December 25, 1934: Thousands of pilgrims from a score of denominations from around the world pour into Bethlehem for services at the Church of the Nativity.

Opening at the Palace, Bing Crosby and Kitty Carlisle in “Here is My Heart”; at the Park, James Cagney in “The St. Louis Kid”, and at the Paramount, Shirley Temple in “Bright Eyes.”

Youngstown’s sandlot football championship remains a matter of conjecture after the St. Stans and the North Side Inns battle to a scoreless tie before thousands of fans on a muddy Evans Field.