YEARS AGO

Today is Friday, May 15, the 135th day of 2015. There are 230 days left in the year.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1776: Virginia endorses American independence from Britain.

1862: President Abraham Lincoln signs an act establishing the Department of Agriculture.

1911: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that Standard Oil Co. is a monopoly in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, and orders its breakup.

1930: Registered nurse Ellen Church, the first airline stewardess, goes on duty aboard an Oakland-to-Chicago flight operated by Boeing Air Transport (a forerunner of United Airlines).

1940: DuPont begins selling its nylon stockings nationally.

The original McDonald’s restaurant opens in San Bernardino, Calif., by Richard and Maurice McDonald.

1963: Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper blasts off aboard Faith 7 on the final mission of the Project Mercury space program.

1970: Just after midnight, Phillip Lafayette Gibbs and James Earl Green, two black students at Jackson State College in Mississippi, are killed as police open fire during student protests.

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1990: Toys R Us Inc., the nation’s largest toy retailer, confirms that it will break ground in the fall on a 425,000-square-foot regional distribution center at Youngstown’s Salt Springs Road Industrial Park.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announces that it will open a small outpatient clinic in Youngstown in August under the jurisdiction of the Cleveland VA Medical Center.

Vice President Dan Quayle, who will visit Youngstown on May 23 for a private luncheon with prominent Ohio Republicans, has also agreed to meet with area mayors led by Youngstown’s Mayor Patrick Ungaro.

1975: The Ohio Edison Co. announces that it is applying to the Ohio Public Utilities Commission for a 75 percent rate increase in its steam heat prices in Youngstown.

A delegation of Republic Avenue residents urges Youngstown City Council to speed up demolition of condemned structures in their East Side neighborhood and to increase police patrols to combat vandalism.

In his 21st season as coach of the Youngstown State University baseball Penguins, Dom Rosselli breaks the 300-victory mark. He also has 485 wins as basketball coach.

1965: Dr. Craig C. Wales is installed commander of Youngstown Power Squadron at the annual change of watch party at Courtney’s Restaurant.

Five young toughs, armed with guns and knives, attack Steve Mihin, a Youngstown Cartage truck driver, dragging him from his auto in Lincoln Avenue and robbing him of $1.50.

Philip J. “Fleagle” Mainer, one of Youngstown’s most notorious burglars, is sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession of $200,000 in counterfeit money.

1940:Congressman Michael J. Kirwan is nominated for re-election by a vote margin of 10 to 1 over his only opponent, Locke Miller. Atty. Charles Anderson of Hubbard defeats Attorneys George Renner and J. Eugene Roberts for the Republican nomination for the 19th Congressional District.

Fire of undetermined origin razes the old frame building of the Mill Creek Park riding Club off Bears Den Road.

The Youngstown Browns pound the Dayton Wings, 10-5, in a Mid-Atlantic League game in Dayton.