YEARS AGO

Today is Sunday, June 30, the 181st day of 2013. There are 184 days left in the year.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1908: The Tunguka Event takes place in Russia as an asteroid explodes above Siberia, leaving 800 square miles of scorched or blown-down trees.

1921: President Warren G. Harding nominates former President William Howard Taft to be chief justice of the United States .

1933: The Screen Actors Guild is established.

1934: Adolf Hitler carries out his “blood purge” of political and military rivals in Germany in what came to be known as “The Night of the Long Knives.”

1953: The first Chevrolet Corvette, with its innovative fiberglass body, is built at a General Motors assembly facility in Flint, Mich.

1958: The U.S. Senate passes the Alaska statehood bill.

1963: Pope Paul VI is crowned the 262nd head of the Roman Catholic Church.

1985: Thirty-nine American hostages from a hijacked TWA jetliner are freed in Beirut after being held 17 days.

1993: Actor George “Spanky” McFarland of “Our Gang” and “Little Rascals” fame dies in Grapevine, Texas, at age 64.

VINDICATOR FILES

1988: Dr. William F. Lyon, entomologist with the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service in Columbus, says the drought is keeping some insect populations in check, particularly mosquitoes, but one heavy rain could cause an explosion of insects from eggs lying in dry soil awaiting moisture.

Zambelli Internationale and Vitale Fireworks Manufacturing Co. in New Castle report receiving a lot of cancellations of public fireworks displays because of the ongoing drought.

The Ohio Board of Nursing Education and Nursing Registration reports that enrollments in Ohio nursing schools have dropped more than 27 percent since 1983, from 14,605 to 10,652 in 1987, but Youngstown area schools report their enrollment is stable, with an increasing number of students starting their studies above the age of 20.

Trumbull County Judge Mitchell F. Shaker makes a 20-minute video showing the decaying conditions of the Trumbull County Courthouse, which he has shown to the Warren Rotary Club and will be used as evidence as judges sue Trumbull County commissioners to make repairs and improvements.

1973: U.S. Rep. Charles J. Carney, D-19th, loses an attempt in the U.S. House of Representatives to advance approval of the feasibility study on a stub-end canal.

Edward Mann of Hubbard is elected to a three-year term as president of United Steelworkers Local 1462 at the Brier Hill Works of the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co.

The Henry Stambaugh Golf Course will celebrate its 50th anniversary Aug. 4. The celebration is being organized by Tony Joy and George Bellino.

1963: Construction is progressing rapidly on two major projects in Youngstown, the 90-room Voyager Motor Inn downtown and the city’s sewage treatment plant on Poland Avenue.

The Thiel College Choir leaves on a five-week tour of Europe.

ZIP codes go into effect on the 100th anniversary of the first house delivery.

1938: Thousands of Youngstowners throng the business district for the annual parade of more than 1,100 Vindicator carriers, eight bands and a score of floats.

Work on four Youngstown district flood control projects, estimated to cost $18 million, moves a step nearer after President Roosevelt signs an omnibus flood control bill.

Vince Altier, Youngstown marbles champion, finishes second in the Ohio League during competition in New Jersey.