Years Ago

Today is Tuesday, Oct. 20, the 293rd day of 2009. There are 72 days left in the year. On this date in 1944, during World War II, Gen. Douglas MacArthur steps ashore at Leyte in the Philippines, 21‚Ñ2 years after he’d said, “I shall return.”

In 1740, Maria Theresa becomes ruler of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia upon the death of her father, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. In 1803, the U.S. Senate ratifies the Louisiana Purchase. In 1903, a joint commission rules in favor of the United States in a boundary dispute between the District of Alaska and Canada. In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee opens hearings into alleged Communist influence and infiltration in the U.S. motion picture industry. In 1964, the 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover, dies in New York at age 90. In 1967, seven men are convicted in Meridian, Miss., of violating the civil rights of three slain civil rights workers. In 1968, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy marries Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. .

October 20, 1984: The first morning of a two-day auction at Idora Park attracts about 500 people.

The Rt. Rev. John E. Hines, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church from 1965 to 1974, will preach at a special celebration marking the 125th anniversary of St. John’s Episcopal Church at 323 Wick Ave.

A group of 50 Youngstowners, guests of WHOT radio, are among 34,000 fans who see Michael Jackson on stage at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

October 20, 1969: Seven Warren city policemen turn themselves in to the Trumbull County sheriff to face grand larceny indictments returned by the Trumbull County grand jury.

Seven men are arrested and accused of attacking and interfering with a large convoy of Stony’s Trucking Co. steel-laden trucks being escorted through the city to Republic Steel Corp.’s Stop 5 entrance.

Ursuline defeats Mooney, 16-8, before 11,000 fans at Rayen Stadium in the first scholastic football game ever televised live in Youngstown. The game was shown on WYTV-Channel 33.

October 20, 1959: Standard Slag Co. is acquiring the 67-year-old Cleveland Builders Supply Co., whose stock is valued at nearly $5 million, as part of the Youngstown company’s expansion.

Bishop Emmet M. Walsh will dedicate the new $46,000 administration building at Calvary Cemetery on Belle Vista Avenue in Youngstown.

Austintown trustees approve 24-hour police protection for township businesses and homes and hire George Vanaskey and Dane Carder as part-time constables.

October 20, 1934: Five Youngs-town students win scholarships in competition at Oberlin College. They are Fred Pilgrim, Della Witkiewicz and Augustus Walker from South High and Isobel Duby and Harry Oster of Rayen School.

The Erie Railroad will tear down the 82-year-old First Christian Church on Wood Street to make room to eliminate an at-grade railroad crossing.

Four Youngstown area football players are on the North Carolina State team under Coach Hunk Anderson. They are Steve Sabol, Nick Hayden, Carl Isaacs and Vince Farrar.