BUFFALO, N.Y. — 10 years ago this week:
As smartphones became a more integral part of our daily lives, the US Supreme Court took up the case of whether cops could search your phone without a warrant, eventually ruling they could not.
New York, a state where you can now purchase drinks to go, was contemplating becoming the 25th state to ban powdered alcohol (it did) while becoming the 35th to recognize cheerleading as an official inter-scholastic sport this week in 2014.
20 years ago this week:
The improbable but impressive run by Amherst's John Stevens on the hit TV show American Idol came to an end. The 16 year old, remarkable for his shock red hair and crooner's style of singing, stepped off a plane to a hero's welcome at the Buffalo airport following his exit from the show.
In Salamanca the limos were out, the crowds were ready, and and the lights were on as the the Seneca Allegany Casino held its grand opening.
In the Allegany County town of Scio mourners gathered as Marine Corporal Jason Dunham was laid to rest. While serving in Iraq and engaged in hand to hand combat, Dunham dove on a grenade to save his fellow Marines. Dunham would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2017.
30 years ago this week:
The wreckers ball was swinging as a familiar Buffalo landmark was coming down to clear a site for construction of a new hospital. The building being razed is also the subject of this week's News 2 You Pop Quiz (for the answer, watch the conclusion of the video attached to this story).
Speculation was buzzing in the retail industry that the Bon Ton was interested in acquiring AM&A's which would mark the end of an era in Buffalo of locally owned department store chains.
Buffalo Sabres fans were still pinching themselves after witnessing the team win a playoff game that lasted for more than six hours. The Sabres won, 1-0, when Dave Hannan scored in the fourth overtime in a game that saw Dominik Hasek stop 70 shots before the game ended at about 2 a.m. The thrilling victory forced a game seven in the playoff series which was won by the New Jersey Devils.
I t was also the week that former political prisoner Nelson Mandela won the presidency of South Africa in the first free election ever held in that nation.
40 years ago this week:
Cindi Lauper, at the time on her way to becoming one of the biggest stars of pop music in the 1980's, was playing at the UB Springfest. After a Channel 2 interview reporter Sandy Kozel described Lauper as being "sweet yet sexy, scatter brained yet smart all at the same time."
The bygone Loyalty Day Parade sponsored by the Erie County Veterans of Foreign Wars Council was held on Broadway.
Cars were still driving over the Father Baker Bridge next to the hulking Bethlehem Steel plant on Route 5 in Lackawanna. The 100 foot high span would be demolished in 1990.
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