Years Ago

Today is Wednesday, July 4, the 186th day of 2012. There are 180 days left in the year. This is Independence Day.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1776: The Declaration of Independence is adopted by delegates to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

1802: The United States Military Academy officially opens at West Point, N.Y.

1912: The 48-star American flag, recognizing New Mexico statehood, is adopted.

1987: Klaus Barbie, the former Gestapo chief known as the “Butcher of Lyon,” is convicted by a French court of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison (he dies in September 1991).

VINDICATOR FILES

1987: The state superintendent of banks approves McKinley Federal Savings & Loan Association’s application for a state bank charter, removing one hurdle from the Niles institution’s path to becoming a stock-owned commercial bank.

A cast of 65 young people presents “Liberty,” a patriotic show, at Highway Tabernacle Church in Austintown.

1972: A delegation of six Youngstown area Jaycee chapters call upon U.S. Rep. Charles J. Carney in Washington to volunteer their clubs in the effort to win a stub canal from the Mahoning Valley to the Ohio River.

Mahoning County Engineer Michael Fitas says federal funds will be sought to replace the Credit Mobilier bridge over the Mahoning River near the Ohio Works, which collapsed under an overweight truck.

1962: Six Ursuline High school students win the national Auxilium Latinum trophy: Monica Grena, Robert Byers Jr., James Catoline, John McNally, Robert Kravec and Thomas Ameen.

The Youngstown Board of Education adopts a 1963 budget of $13.3 million, which is $281,700 higher than 1962.

1937: The success of Youngstown Library Week, which was sponsored by the Youngstown Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1936, is reported to the American Library Association convention in New York by Youngstown Librarian C.W. Summer, who suggests it be expanded to a national event.