Today is Thursday, April 1, the 92nd day of 2004. There are 274 days left in the year. This is April

Today is Thursday, April 1, the 92nd day of 2004. There are 274 days left in the year. This is April Fool's Day. On this date in 1945, American forces invade Okinawa during World War II.
In 1853, Cincinnati, Ohio, becomes the first U.S. city to pay its firefighters a regular salary. In 1918, the Royal Air Force is established in Britain. In 1933, Nazi Germany begins persecuting Jews with a boycott of Jewish-owned businesses. In 1946, tidal waves strike the Hawaiian islands, resulting in more than 170 deaths. In 1960, the first weather satellite, TIROS-One, is launched from Cape Canaveral. In 1970, President Nixon signs a measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and television, to take effect after Jan. 1, 1971.
April 1, 1979: Some Youngstown district industrial firms, especially the equipment makers, are looking longingly at China and its plans for multi-billion dollar industrial development. But some executives are questioning China's ability to pay for the equipment it needs to expand its industry, especially its steel industry.
Youngstown city council agrees to create the job of rat-control coordinator, removing the final obstacle to receipt of a $200,000 federal grant to finance a war on rats in the city.
The city of Hubbard is negotiating with the Shenango Valley Water Co. to buy up to 1.5 million gallons of water a day, which would permit the city to extend its water lines to some Eastern portions of Trumbull County that are without water.
April 1, 1964: Republic Steel Corp. will install a high-speed butt weld, stretch-reducing pipe mill at its Youngstown Works as another step in modernization of its Youngstown pipe facilities. The estimated cost is $6 million.
Sixteen active Indianapolis policemen and six retired officers are indicted on charges of accepting bribes to protect numbers operators.
Three Youngstown area teenagers who ran away from home and were missing for four days are being held for their parents in a Melbourne, Fla., jail. A fourth boy, a former Youngstowner, is charged with auto theft.
April 1, 1954: Mahoning County Republicans hope to bring Vice President Richard Nixon to Youngstown in July to answer the Democratic political pitch that will be made in Youngstown May 1 when Sam Rayburn, Democratic leader of the House of Representatives, appears at the Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner at the Hotel Pick-Ohio.
Youngstown College will award approximately $10,000 in scholarships to 60 high school seniors who are in the upper half of their classes and intend to enter Youngstown College in September. The scholarships will range in value from $100 to $300, based on results of a competitive examination, school records and financial need.
In the greatest mass disciplinary action in the history of the Cleveland Police Department, 12 policemen, ranging in rank from captain to patrolman, are fired and five suspended for dereliction of duty in allowing the operation of a house of prostitution.
April 1, 1929: Four men, a woman and her 16-year-old daughter are held in Youngstown city jail as witnesses in connection with the killing of Joseph McNamara., 32, of Wood St., who was shot down in Division St. near Waverly Ave.
Stock prices again head downward during a flood of selling on the New York Stock Exchange, with scores of issues selling off from $5 to $20 a share. International Telephone tumbles $22.50 to $252.
April is ushered in to the Mahoning Valley on a 58-mph gale that uproots trees, blows in store windows and virtually paralyzes telegraph and phone communication. In Warren, a drama, "The Seventh Heaven," is presented at the Opera House by actors and actresses carrying lanterns and flashlights after lightning crippled the power plant, placing the city in darkness.