Sept. 17, 1984, in The Star: Anniston public schools opened with an enrollment of 4,493, only slightly less than last year's enrollment of 4,507. However, this year the state's offering of a fully funded kindergarten program has made comparison with previous years imprecise, because the figure includes kindergarten enrollment. That being said, many parents with 5-year-olds in the Head Start program are keeping them there, citing health and other benefits, rather than moving them to public kindergarten. Only one 20-student class was added, at Johnston. City schools now have 14 kindergarten classes, spread among the elementary schools of Constantine, Cooper, Tenth Street, Randolph, Norwood and Golden Springs.
On September 17 in
1787 — The Constitution of the United States was completed and signed by a majority of delegates attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
1862 — In the bloodiest battle day in U.S. history, Union forces fought Confederate invaders in the Civil War Battle of Antietam in Maryland.
1944 — In Anniston, post-fire cleanup continued on the site of the former Alabama Hotel, a 41-year landmark at the northwest corner of 12th and Noble. Fire had broken out around 6 in the morning of Sept. 15. Other businesses located in the building and lost in the fire included the Gem Beauty Shop, the Alabama Drug Company and the Southern Railway ticket office. The Chamber of Commerce lost invaluable surveys and records.
1978 — Following their meeting at Camp David with President Jimmy Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed a framework for a peace treaty.
Thursday's birthdays: Pro Football Hall of Famer George Blanda is 82. Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson is 64. Singer Fee Waybill is 59. Actress Cassandra Peterson ("Elvira, Mistress of the Dark") is 58. Comedian Rita Rudner is 56. Muppeteer Kevin Clash is 49. Movie director Baz Luhrmann is 47. Singer BeBe Winans is 47. Actor Kyle Chandler is 44. Rapper Doug E. Fresh is 43. Actor Malik Yoba is 42. Actor Matthew Settle is 40. Actress-singer Nona Gaye is 35. Singer-actor Constantine Maroulis is 34. NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson is 34. Pop singer Maile Misajon (Eden's Crush) is 33.
