Years Ago
Today is Sunday, Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2010. There are 306 days left in the year. On this date in 1960, a day after defeating the Soviets at the Winter Games in Squaw Valley, Calif., the United States wins its first Olympic hockey gold medal by defeating Czechoslovakia’s team, 9-4.
In 1844, a 12-inch gun aboard the USS Princeton explodes, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Navy Secretary Thomas W. Gilmer and several others. In 1849, the California gold rush begins in earnest as regular steamship service starts bringing gold-seekers to San Francisco. In 1940, the first televised college basketball games are broadcast, by New York City station W2XBS, as Pittsburgh defeats Fordham, 57-37, and New York University beats Georgetown, 50-27, at Madison Square Garden. In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai issue the Shanghai Communique at the conclusion of Nixon’s historic visit to China. In 1986, Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme is shot to death in central Stockholm. In 1993, a gun battle erupts at a compound near Waco, Texas, when Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents try to serve warrants on the Branch Davidians; four agents and six Davidians are killed as a 51-day standoff begins. In 1997, in North Hollywood, Calif., two heavily armed robbers bungle a bank heist and come out firing, unleashing their arsenal on police, bystanders and TV choppers before they are killed.
February 28, 1985: Michael Beers, a 9-year-old Cub Scout from Liberty wins the Medal for Meritorious Action, a Scouting acknowledgement for bravery that is very rarely awarded to Cub Scouts. He is crediting with saving Stephanie Lynn Weirick, 6, from drowning in a backyard swimming pool in June.
The Vindicator begins a new column, “Family Computing,” a recognition of the growing use of personal computers. It is estimated that 5.5 million home computers will be sold in 1985 in the United States.
February 28, 1970: George and Norene Carney of Girard institute a taxpayer’s suit in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to nullify a recent ordinance raising the salary of Municipal Judge Joseph Luarde to $20,000 a year.
Canfield is awarded its third National Cleanup Award during ceremonies in Washington, D.C. Charles “Bud” Wilkinson, a special consultant to President Nixon, presents the trophy to Mayor Francis McLaughlin and Mrs. Edward Ort, chairman of the Canfield effort.
Professional thieves haul away jewelry worth more than $25,000 after peeling open a safe and ransacking display cases at Neustupa Jewelry on Main Street in Greenville, Pa.
February 28, 1960: The Most Rev. Emmet M. Walsh, bishop of Youngstown, reminds area Catholics that everyone over 21 and under 59 is bound to fast on all weekdays of Lent, meaning only one full meal is allowed and the other two small meals should be meatless. No meat is allowed on Fridays.
The first commercial record to be cut in Youngstown is completed by the Boardman High School Choir, directed by Mrs. Etherleda Humprhey. The record, “Commandments for Parents,” is produced on a Caprice label, by Frank Stanton, a publisher and song writer formerly from Youngstown. Lyrics were written by Ted Conner and music by Sam Young.
The St. Jude’s Youth group of Youngstown holds a teen dance at St. Maron’s Hall to kick off the local drive of ALSAC (Aiding Leukemia Stricken American Children). The money goes toward construction of St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
February 28, 1935: The body of 13-year-old Frank Suhovecky is found in Lake Cohasset at the mouth of Ax Factory Run with head injuries suggesting he had been beaten and struck with an ax. He had been missing for 10 days.
More than $98,000 is being distributed to Mahoning County schools, the first proceeds from the state’s new sales tax law.
I.Z. Rogachevsky, president and general manager of Zaporojstal, Soviet Russia’s iron and steel industry, which produced about half as much steel as the U.S. in 1934, is touring Youngstown operations.
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