Today is Wednesday, March 9, the 68th day of 2005. There are 297 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Wednesday, March 9, the 68th day of 2005. There are 297 days left in the year. On this date in 1945, during World War II, U.S. B-29 bombers launch incendiary bomb attacks against Japan.
In 1661, Cardinal Jules Mazarin, the chief minister of France, dies, leaving King Louis XIV in full control. In 1796, the future emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, marries Josephine de Beauharnais. The couple divorces in 1809. In 1860, the first Japanese ambassador to the United States, Niimi Buzennokami, and his staff arrive in San Francisco. In 1862, during the Civil War, the ironclads "Monitor" and "Virginia" (formerly "Merrimac") clash for five hours to a draw at Hampton Roads, Va. In 1916, Mexican raiders led by Pancho Villa attack Columbus, N.M., killing more than a dozen people. In 1933, Congress, called into special session by President Roosevelt, begins its "100 days" of enacting New Deal legislation. In 1954, CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow critically reviews Wisconsin Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy's anti-Communism campaign on an episode of "See It Now." In 1977, about a dozen armed Hanafi Muslims invade three buildings in Washington, D.C., killing one person and taking more than 130 hostages. The siege ends two days later. In 1981, Dan Rather makes his debut as principal anchorman of "The CBS Evening News."
March 9, 1980: A real credit crunch is apparently looming in the next 60 to 90 days and it has the potential of being devastating for a variety of business in the Youngstown area.
Youngstown school crossing guards are planning to march on City Hall to demonstrate against City Council's failure to give them an hourly wage increase and its decision to dissolve the patrol at the end of the school year.
The Ohio Senate is working on legislation tightening the procedures used to commit, treat and release people found not guilty of crimes by reason of insanity. The bill would give local judges and prosecutors greater say in who should be released or remain in treatment.
March 9, 1965: A stunt performed for the Mahoning County Medical Society by three Cardinal Mooney students, Kath Sofranec, Diane Babnic and Donna Marie Geise, has attracted national attention among doctors. The girls sang two songs, "Eldercare" and "Eldercare is Better Care" to the tunes of "Ain't She Sweet" and "The Rain in Spain." Eldercare is the AMA's alternative to Medicare.
Three Youngstown men are killed in separate industrial accidents in the Youngstown area on one day. The victims are Thad Heim, 51; James L. Dagon, 47, and James Harris, 42.
March 9, 1955: Members of the Mahoning Medical Society are urged in an article in their monthly publication The Bulletin to cooperate in preventing an increase in the cost of hospital insurance. Dr. H.E. Patrick writes that patients are being admitted to hospitals for tests that could be done on an outpatient basis.
Negotiations between the Air Force and Mayor Frank X. Kryzan over military use of Youngstown Municipal Airport have hit another snag over language to be used in an agreement and settlement is reportedly postponed indefinitely.
Mahoning County will have $113,000 less to spend on operating expenses in 1955 than it had in 1954. Auditor Charles B. Rayburn certifies a county general fund of $2.5 million.
March 9, 1930: President Hoover calls on the nation to observe a 30-day period of mourning for William Howard Taft, the former president and chief justice, who died at his home in Washington.
Consummation of a merger between Bethlehem Steel Corp. and the Youngstown Sheet & amp; Tube Co., rumors of which are strong in New York, will probably find opposition among Youngstown and Cleveland stockholders of Sheet & amp; Tube.
Supt. J.J. Richeson says the Technical High School will probably open in September in the old Rayen building, with equipment and teachers borrowed from the four high schools, enabling it to operate without additional cost.