Today is Saturday, Jan. 1, the 1st day of 2011. There are 364 days left in the year.

January 1, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1622: The Papacy adopts Jan. 1 as beginning of new year instead of March 25.

1808: The U.S. Congress officially prohibits African slave trade.

1863: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation declaring slaves free.

1892: The Ellis Island Immigrant Station in New York formally opens.

1965 : The Palestine Liberation Organization is formed.

1979: The United States and China hold celebrations in Washington and Beijing to mark their establishment of diplomatic relations.

1994: The North America Free-Trade Agreement goes into effect.

VINDICATOR FILES

1986: The Ungaro administration closes a loophole in Youngstown’s tax code that will eliminate up to $100,000 in refunds for people who earn income as an employee but claim losses from the operation of their own private business.

A McDonald man charged with child endangering for administering electric shocks to willing teenagers in his home pleads no contest to reduced charges of attempted hazing and is fined and placed on probation.

1971: Youngstown’s first New Year’s baby is Melisa Ann Brady, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Brady, born at 2:44 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Hospital.

U.S. tobacco companies buy as much time as they can during the New Year’s Day bowl games on the last day that cigarette advertising will be allowed on network TV.

Mahoning County commissioners pass a three-month temporary general fund budget of $2.2 million.

1961: Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co.’s expansion has put the company in an excellent position to compete against both domestic and foreign producers, says A.S. Glossbrenner, company president.

Forty-nine people died in traffic accidents in Mahoning County in 1960: 20 drivers, 16 pedestrians, 12 passengers and a motorcyclist. They ranged in age from 3 to 90.

1936: The first baby born in Youngs-town in 1936 is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Slanto, who was born just 15 minutes after midnight.

Mayor Lionel Evans issues a warning that “bug” players in City Hall are subject to dismissal and those booking numbers will be arrested.

Henry A. Roemer, president of Sharon Steel Hoop Co., announces a reorganization of the company that would involve issuing 70,000 shares of preferred stock and 1 million shares of common stock.