Years Ago

Today is Tuesday, Sept. 15, the 258th day of 2009. There are 107 days left in the year. On this date in 1959, Nikita Khrushchev becomes the first Soviet head of state to visit the United States as he arrives at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, where he is greeted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The two leaders then meet at the White House; a joint communique afterward describes the talks as “friendly and frank.”

In 1789, the U.S. Department of Foreign Affairs is renamed the Department of State. In 1807, former Vice President Aaron Burr is acquitted of a misdemeanor charge two weeks after he is found not guilty of treason. In 1821, the Kingdom of Guatemala proclaims its independence from Spain. In 1857, William Howard Taft — who served as president of the United States and as U.S. chief justice — is born in Cincinnati. In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws deprive German Jews of their citizenship. In 1940, during the Battle of Britain in World War II, the tide turns as the Luftwaffe sustains heavy losses inflicted by the Royal Air Force. In 1949, “The Lone Ranger” premieres on ABC television with Clayton Moore as the masked hero and Jay Silverheels as Tonto.

September 15, 1984: The United Autoworkers announces strikes at 13 plants. Although Lordstown was not among the target plants, operations are shutdown after not enough workers report to run the line.

A plaque is unveiled on the north side of the Market Street Bridge formally dedicating it as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Howard VonKennen is elected president and Werner Schwederski vice president of the Youngstown Maennerchor.

September 15, 1969: Two teenage gunmen hold up four employees of Winky’s at 2528 South Ave. in the drive-in parking lot and force a woman employee to reopen the restaurant and open the safe.

More than 3,000 people attend the dedication of the new $800,000 addition to the F.H. Buhl Club in Sharon.

A 250-foot tower is erected south of Ford Hall on Wick Avenue for a noncommercial radio station to be operated by Youngstown State University.

September 15, 1959: The Youngstown Transit Co. is prepared to take over the Boardman Transit Co. as soon as the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and city council approve, says traction Commissioner James W. Cannon.

The state board of education orders an investigation into complaints by 23 Protestant parents that children in Putnam County public schools are receiving Roman Catholic religious instruction.

Emil A. “Spitz” Renner, chairman of the board of Renner Brewing Co. and one Youngstown’s oldest leading citizens, retires from one of his favorite jobs, member of the Youngstown Police Pension Board.

September 15, 1934: Despite Ursuline’s loss of four players because of eligibility, the North Siders football team manages to hold Chaney High School to one touchdown in a 6-0 loss.

The history of Niles is dramatically revealed before 4,000 people during a 21‚Ñ2 hour pageant on Athletic Field as the city continues its centennial celebration.

The largest crowd Hubbard has ever seen, thousands strong, gathers for the parade that launched Hubbard’s two-day homecoming celebration.