Twenty years ago — 1999

The Cardinal Mindszenty Class of 1979 gathered together the weekend of July 30-31 to celebrate their graduation 20 years ago. The Class of 1979 was the final graduating class of that school prior to its closure. Members honored the valiant life of Cardinal Mindszenty who was remembered as a man of great faith and perseverance who suffered years of persecution for defending universal and eternal values. He fought for the freedom of all men, particularly during the Nazi regime and Communist era.

Thirty years ago — 1989

In an OBSERVER photo, Matt Budniewski of 711 Roosevelt Ave., Dunkirk and Andy Rodgers of Van Buren Point, Dunkirk are shown holding footballs autographed by members of the 1988 Buffalo Bills AFC championship team. The boys were the winners in the Bill-For-A-Day Contest sponsored by George Ray Inc., the Northern Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce and the EVENING OBSERVER.

Forty years ago — 1979

New York City police say they are investigating the possibility that a drug deal was involved in the mugging of David Kennedy in a seedy Harlem hotel frequently used as a “shooting gallery” and known as a “narcotics location.” The 24-year-old son of the late Robert F. Kennedy told police he was lured into the hotel, but residents said they had seen Kennedy in the neighborhood known as a major drug-trafficking center, numerous times.

Fifty years ago — 1969

Fifty-eight boys and girls read a total of 1,035 books this summer in a reading club program sponsored by the Dunkirk Free Library. Club members were divided in two groups, Grades 1-3 and Grades 4-6. The boy or girl reading the most books was awarded a book of their choice. This year’s winners were fourth-grader Douglas Brown, who read 152 books and third grader Mark Budniewski, who read 48 books.