Years Ago

Today is Thursday, Sept. 17, the 260th day of 2009. There are 105 days left in the year. On this date in 1939, the Soviet Union invades Poland during World War II, more than two weeks after Nazi Germany had launched its assault.

In 1787, the Constitution of the United States is completed and signed by a majority of delegates attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. In 1862, in the bloodiest battle day in U.S. history, Union forces fight Confederate invaders in the Civil War Battle of Antietam at Sharpsburg, Md. In 1920, the American Professional Football Association — a precursor of the NFL — is formed in Canton, Ohio. In 1944, during World War II, Allied paratroopers launch Operation Market Garden, landing behind German lines in the Netherlands. In 1949, more than 120 people die when fire guts the Canadian passenger steamship SS Noronic at a pier in Toronto. In 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev travels by train from Washington to New York City, where he receives a low-key welcome from New Yorkers. In 1978, after meeting at Camp David, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signs a framework for a peace treaty.

September 17, 1984: YSU President Neil D. Humphrey says Youngstown State University should consider correcting a lack of emphasis on faculty research.

Representatives of United Auto Workers Local 1112 say progress is made in talks on a local agreement aimed at avoiding a strike at the Lordstown General Motors plant.

September 17, 1969: Youngs-town City Council passes three ordinances defining obscenity and pornography and city officials plan to give the new laws a quick test if the State Theater downtown shows the movie “I Am Curious (Yellow).”

The fountains in the main concourse of the Eastwood Mall come to life as the ribbon is cut marking the formal dedication of the new shopping center in Niles.

September 17, 1959: Three Lake Milton teenagers are put on probation until the become 18 years old for looting 30 cars and 20 cottages in the resort area near their homes in recent months.

Mayor Frank X. Kryzan fills six more Civil Service positions, all in the finance department, with permanent appoints. All were certified for their jobs by the Civil Service Commission based on tests given over the summer.

September 17, 1934: Councilman Michael J. Kirwan demands an accounting of receipts taken at the NABF tournament held on city ball fields over the past week, but Mayor Mark Moore says the tournament is a private enterprise.

Judge Henry Beckenbach frees two drunken drivers on probation without paying any fines. One, a 40 year old man, served 21 days in jail; the other, age 16, served no time.