Years Ago

Today is Wednesday, Nov. 18, the 322nd day of 2009. There are 43 days left in the year. On this date in 1959, “Ben-Hur,” MGM’s Biblical-era spectacle starring Charlton Heston and directed by William Wyler, has its world premiere at Loew’s State Theatre in New York.

In 1883, the United States and Canada adopt a system of Standard Time zones. In 1886, the 21st president of the United States, Chester A. Arthur, dies in New York. In 1909, President William Howard Taft orders two warships to Nicaragua, a day after the government of President Jose Santos Zelaya executes two American mercenaries along with several hundred revolutionaries. Lyricist Johnny Mercer is born in Savannah, Ga. In 1928, Walt Disney’s first sound-synchronized animated cartoon, “Steamboat Willie” starring Mickey Mouse, premieres in New York. In 1936, Germany and Italy recognize the Spanish government of Francisco Franco. In 1958, the cargo freighter SS Carl D. Bradley sinks during a storm in Lake Michigan, claiming 33 of the 35 lives on board. In 1966, U.S. Roman Catholic bishops do away with the rule against eating meat on Fridays outside of Lent. In 1969, financier-diplomat Joseph P. Kennedy dies in Hyannis Port, Mass., at age 81. In 1987, the congressional Iran-Contra committees issue their final report, saying President Ronald Reagan bore “ultimate responsibility” for wrongdoing by his aides.

November 18, 1984: Boardman Township Trustee Robert W. Bannon insists that Atty. Don L. Hanni Jr., chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, “has absolutely nothing to do with selecting a successor to the late township trustee Thomas J. Barrett.”

Area turkey lovers can expect to pay a little more for their Thanksgiving and Christmas birds in 1984, says Ken Barth, manager of Barth Farms, the tri-county area’s major turkey producers. The retail price for Barth birds is $1.19 per pound.

Atty. Robert P. Milich, Youngs-town’s first assistant law director, is elected first president of the Society of Air Force Reserve Medical Service Corps Officers.

November 18, 1969: Mahoning County welfare clients on general relief will be receiving smaller monthly checks after it is discovered that an incorrect formula has been used for more than a year in computing allowances.

Freda Flint, 73, who retired as director of public relations for Youngstown University after 47 years service, dies at her home in Hartford, Trumbull County.

Mill Creek Park’s ice skating rink opens for its third season.

The official count shows Leo P. Morley winning election to an unexpired term as municipal court judge over Nicholas Manos by a margin of 108 votes out of more than 42,000 cast.

November 18, 1959: With two days remaining in the campaign, the Mahoning County Community Chest drive is $500,000 short of reaching its goal of $1.2 million.

James A. Fife Jr. is named executive director of the Mahoning and Trumbull County Tuberculosis and Health Associations.

The 79th Fighter Group, which will leave Youngstown Municipal Airport in the spring, is given a farewell dinner at the annual Pal-Day banquet at the YWCA.

November 18, 1934: Upsets are the order of the day in Mahoning Valley schoolboy football as South beats Akron West, Chaney fights to a scoreless draw with Akron East, Rayen trips up Girard and Ursuline defeats Campbell Memorial.

Installation of voting machines, at least in Youngstown precincts, are proposed to end uncertainties in close election races.

John Bozick, East Palestine coal miner, is accidentally shot while hunting rabbits with his son on the Herriott-Keyes farm. He dies a half hour after being taken to his home.