Today is Thursday, May 8, the 128th day of 2003. There are 237 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Thursday, May 8, the 128th day of 2003. There are 237 days left in the year. On this date in 1945, President Truman announces in a radio address that World War II has ended in Europe.
In 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reaches the Mississippi River. In 1846, the first major battle of the Mexican War is fought at Palo Alto, Texas, resulting in victory for Gen. Zachary Taylor's forces. In 1884, the 33rd president of the United States, Harry S. Truman, is born near Lamar, Mo. In 1886, Atlanta pharmacist John Styth Pemberton invents the flavor syrup for Coca-Cola. In 1958, Vice President Nixon is shoved, stoned, booed and spat upon by anti-American protesters in Lima, Peru. In 1962, the musical comedy "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" opens on Broadway. In 1970, construction workers breaks up an anti-war protest on New York's Wall Street. In 1973, militant American Indians who'd held the South Dakota hamlet of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks surrender.
May 8, 1978: Some 1,300 Youngstown municipal employees -- members of six different unions, including those representing police and firemen -- go on strike, setting up picket lines at City Hall, the police station, wastewater treatment plant, street department and Youngstown Municipal Airport.
A wholesale water rate increase requested by the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District for Youngstown and Niles is rejected by a two-judge panel and the MVSD is ordered to refigure the amount.
Smoke fills the Youngstown City Jail building in the early morning hours when fire breaks out in the second floor Hong Kong Restaurant at 221/2 S. Phelps St., adjoining the rear of the police department and City Hall.
May 8, 1963: Richard J. Barrett, with a majority of 10,919 votes over two opponents is the Democratic nominee for mayor Youngstown and will challenge incumbent Republican Harry Savasten in the fall.
Campbell Mayor Joseph A. Vrabel easily wins renomination for mayor against three opponents in the Democratic primary. There is no Republican nominee.
Campbell, Struthers, Girard and Newton Falls will get new municipal courts under an omnibus municipal courts bill passed by the Ohio House 123 to 0.
May 8, 1953: Dr. Keyes D. Metcalf, librarian of Harvard University, speaks at the dedication of Youngstown College's $1 million library.
Mahoning Valley steel mills are operating with virtually mid-summer Mahoning River water conditions, water too warm -- in the range of 115 to 125 degrees, and at a low flow rate of about 214 million gallons a day.
Winners in the United Veterans Council poster contest to mark Armed Forces Day are Sergi Gojan and David Norris of Rayen School and Varlene Van Meter of Hillman Junior High and Sandra Marinelli of Princeton Junior High.
May 8, 1928: C.J. Schuemacher, Youngstown architect and former army aviation instructor, says Youngstown may soon be a regular stop on the proposed ford Motor Co. air passenger line between Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
Construction begins of a 98-room apartment building at a cost of $125,000 by the Parkway Improvement Co. of Canton in Park Ave. facing Wick Park.
Ohio Gov. Vic Donahey proclaims May 13 Mother's Day and urges its observance by all citizens "in appropriate manner that every mother may be compensated by tokens of appreciation and lover for her sacrifices and services."