Looking Backward

The north

10 years ago

Nov. 6, 1999:The majority of eighth-graders at 29 of the 41 school districts in Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis and Franklin counties failed to meet the standards for math in tests administered in June. Statewide, 62 percent of last school year's eighth-graders failed to meet the tough standards set for the New York Statewide Testing Program math test.

25 years ago

Nov. 6, 1984:The prime properties available for development in Watertown were identified as the City Council and planning board began mapping a strategy for handling an anticipated flood of developers. Reacting to the announcement of assignment of the 10th Light Infantry Division to Fort Drum, the two boards reviewed 21 large parcels.

50 years ago

Nov. 6, 1959:The Strategic Air Command's low-level radar practice bombing, which will be scored from a special installation under construction at Camp Drum, will start in the Carthage-Watertown area Jan. 1. It is planned by SAC to have huge B-47 and B-52 jet bombers make frequent simulated attacks on targets in the Watertown-Carthage area.

75 years ago

Nov. 6, 1934:Prices of the high-quality turkeys of New York state, especially those raised in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, are expected to be much higher this year than a year ago.

100 years ago

Nov. 6, 1909:A close observer, in discussing the large number of towns that had been placed in the dry column as a result of Tuesday's election, said that when the present license expires, those who may so desire would not be able to quench their thirst between Oswego and Watertown, except in Pulaski.

125 years ago

Nov. 6, 1884:Both of the large flour mills in Ogdensburg, says the Ogdensburg Advance, are running to their full capacity. Rhodes and Bill's mill turns out from 350 to 380 barrels of flour per day, and the Brown mill about 300. Wheat is of somewhat better quality this year than last.

The world

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Today is Friday, Nov. 6,the 310th day of 2009. There are 55 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Nov. 6, 1934, Nebraska voters approved a constitutional amendment that dissolved their two-chamber legislature in favor of a nonpartisan, single legislative body (or "unicameral"), which was implemented in 1937.

Thought for Today:"When writers come, I find I'm talking all the time, exchanging thoughts I haven't exchanged for some time. I get stupid in solitude." — Mary McCarthy, American author (1912-1989).