Years Ago

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 3, the 215th day of 2011. There are 150 days left in the year.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1492: Christopher Columbus sets sail from Palos, Spain, on a voyage that takes him to the present-day Americas.

1811: Elisha Otis, founder of the elevator company that still bears his name, is born in Halifax, Vt.

1943: Gen. George S. Patton slaps a private at an army hospital in Sicily, accusing him of cowardice. (Patton is later ordered by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower to apologize for this and a second, similar episode.)

1981: U.S. air traffic controllers go on strike, despite a warning from President Ronald Reagan they would be fired, which they were.

VINDICATOR FILES

1986: The Rev. Benjamin Weir, who was held hostage in Lebanon for 16 months, says during a conference at Westminster College in New Wilmington that the U.S. Government should have direct communication with those still holding American prisoners in the Middle East.

Community Involvement Day draws volunteers to the Girard High School stadium to help with the installation of new aluminum seats and other sprucing up.

1971: St. Elizabeth Hospital appoints Dr. Kurt Wegner to the new full-time position of coordinator of pediatric clinical and educational services.

A 33-year-old Austintown man who police say held up 18 area finance companies with a toy pistol is arrested after victims of one of the hold ups spotted him in a drug store and called police.

1961: Ohio Gov. Michael V. DiSalle says U.S. Atty. Gen. Robert F. Kennedy “has promised to take action” in connection with the Youngstown area’s wave of rackets bombings and killings.

Officials of Albee Homes Inc. of Niles announce plans for an immediate expansion intended to triple sales and double employment for its pre-cut packaged homes.

1936:John Deetrick, Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. metallurgist, pleads not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Ruth, 31, who was shot in the dead at the home, 826 Pennsylvania Ave.

Girard and state fire officials are seeking the person who planted a bomb in the Silver Moon Inn that caused $15,000 in damage.