Today is Tuesday, Jan. 24, the 24th day of 2012. There are 342 days left in the year.

Today is Tuesday, Jan. 24, the 24th day of 2012. There are 342 days left in the year.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1848: James W. Marshall discovers a gold nugget at Sutter’s Mill in northern California, leading to the gold rush of ’49.

1908: The Boy Scouts movement begins in England under the aegis of Robert Baden-Powell.

1942: The Roberts Commission, which had looked into America’s lack of preparedness for Imperial Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, publicly releases its report placing much of the blame on Rear Adm. Husband E. Kimmel and Lt. Gen. Walter C. Short, the Navy and Army commanders.

1978: A nuclear-powered Soviet satellite, Cosmos 954, plunges toward Earth, scattering radioactive debris over parts of northern Canada as it disintegrates.

1989: Serial killer Ted Bundy is executed in Florida’s electric chair.

VINDICATOR FILES

1987: United Steelworkers Locals 1197 and 3100, which represent 2,300 steelworkers and security guards at Sharon Steel Corp., propose a concessions package that they hope will head off closure of the plant.

U.S. Rep.. James A. Traficant Jr. asks to meet with the principals of Hartmetall AG of Switzerland in an effort to get nearly 100 workers back on their jobs at Metal Carbides Corp. in Boardman.

1972: Common Pleas Judge Sidney J. Rigelhaupt refuses to ban drag racing at the Youngstown Executive Airport but limits operations to between April 1 and Sept. 30.

Trumbull County officials are offering free tap-in, up to 70 feet of water line and a water meter as an inducement to residents to sign up for a proposed water system that would cover parts of Hubbard, Brookfield, Liberty and Vienna townships.

1962: Ohio Highway Director Everett S. Preston announces that $54 million will be spent over three years on a freeway program in the Youngstown area to handle increased traffic from the Keystone Shortway.

The U.S. House passes a bill to increase the cost of a first class stamp by a penny to 5 cents.

1937: The Ohio River at Cincinnati reaches an unprecedented stage of 72.8 feet, covering 11 square miles of the city, with damage rising to an estimated $5 million.

Youngstown Traffic Commissioner Clarence Coppersmith says the city must make improvements to several thoroughfares, including Watt Street, and build a new bridge to the South Side if traffic congestion is to be alleviated.

James Roam, 45, of Cassius Avenue, is instantly killed when a ladle runs over him at the cinder dump of the Republic Steel Corp.