Today in history

Today is Saturday, July 4, the 185th day of 2009. There are 180 days left in the year. This is Independence Day. On this date in 1776, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence.

In 1802, the United States Military Academy officially opens at West Point, N.Y. In 1826, 50 years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both die. In 1831, the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe, dies in New York City. In 1872, the 30th president of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, is born in Plymouth, Vt. In 1919, Jack Dempsey wins the world heavyweight boxing title by defeating Jess Willard in Toledo, Ohio. In 1939, baseball’s “Iron Horse,” Lou Gehrig, says farewell to his fans at New York’s Yankee Stadium. In 1959, America’s 49-star flag, honoring Alaskan statehood, is officially unfurled. In 1960, America’s 50-star flag, honoring Hawaiian statehood, is officially unfurled. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Freedom of Information Act.

July 4, 1984: The Trumbull County Fair has a good opening day and hopes to have a good holiday week. Janice Carpenter of Cortland is the 4-H queen and Gregg L. Pollander of Kinsman is the king.

The Ronneburg Brewery that is to be built in Youngstown Commerce Park hopes to cash in on a trend that has seen 25 micro breweries established in the nation in the last five years, most of which are successful.

Karel Soucek, 37, a Canadian motorcycle stunt man, rides over Niagara Falls in a barrel, the first person to perform the stunt in 23 years.

July 4, 1969: If the Youngstown Transit Co. wants a $100,000 subsidy or tax relief to continue operations, it must be prepared to surrender its franchise with the city of Youngstown to the Mahoning Valley Mass Transit Authority.

The Mahoning County Board of Education names William R. Whan, superintendent of South Range Schools, to succeed Dr. Robert Shreve as secondary supervisor of Mahoning County Public Schools. Shreve was named superintendent.

July 4, 1959: Mahoning County Commissioner John Palermo says the county should consider the danger posed by a 550 gallon gasoline tank buried at the county garage beneath the Market Street bridge. Long-ignored tanks are getting new attention following an explosion at the Central Square Garage that killed one man.

Delegates to the annual convention of the National Education Association meeting in St. Louis beat back six attempts to put more punch into a lukewarm resolution on integration of public schools that calls for integration to be approached “in a spirit of fair play, good will and respect for law.”

At least 35 midget race cars are expected for a seven-race event at Sharon Speedway. Most of the cars will be powered by Offenhauser engines.

July 4, 1934: Lewis Smith, former head coach at Niles, is named football coach at Salem High School at a salary of $1,800. In addition to football and basketball coaching duties, he will teach one or two academic subjects.

Mahoning County Sheriff W. J. Engelhardt raids an alcohol plant operated by the “Moonlight Inn” on Forest Glen Avenue. The plant was valued at $10,000 to $15,000.