Twenty years ago — 1999

When man first landed on the moon 30 years ago, President Nixon had a speech all ready in case man could not get off again. A contingency statement was prepared for Nixon, an eerie, poignant tribute that he would deliver while the astronauts were still alive but when there was no longer any hope for them. The statement was incorporated in a memo entitled, “In Event of Moon Disaster.” The memo is dated July 18, 1969, two days before the moon landing.

Thirty years ago — 1989

The last half of “The Young and Restless” soap opera was recently pre-emptied for a meeting of the Dunkirk Common Council. The change resulted in the switchboard lighting up at the local cable office. And when company officials explained the decision to pre-empt the soap was made by the cable advisory board, chairman Danny McGill’s home telephone began ringing off the hook. Mr. McGill stated many of the callers were downright rude without knowing the entire facts at hand.

Forty years ago — 1979

The cost of the new Dunkirk boat launching facility on the west side of the city pier is increasing virtually every week as the controversial project nears completion. Change orders will add $88,273 to the original cost of $290,596 – raising the cost to $378,869. Even more changes are being considered for the project before it is completed and put to use.

Fifty years ago — 1969

A certified teacher has been placed in charge of Project Upstart in Dunkirk in which 20 students are being paid to attend classes this summer. All of the pupils are dropouts who have been out of school at least a year. John Banach has been appointe supervising teacher of the project. The 20 pupils will be working all summer to either receive an eighth-grade certificate or take a high school equivalency exam.