Today is Thursday, April 27, the 117th day of 2006. There are 248 days left in the year. On this

Today is Thursday, April 27, the 117th day of 2006. There are 248 days left in the year. On this date in 1937, the nation's first Social Security checks are distributed.
In 1509, Pope Julius II excommunicates the Italian state of Venice. (The pope lifts the ban in February 1510.) In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan is killed by natives in the Philippines. In 1805, during the First Barbary War, an American-led force of Marines and mercenaries captures the city of Derna, on the shores of Tripoli. In 1865, the steamer Sultana explodes on the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tenn., killing more than 1,400 Union prisoners of war.
April 27, 1981: Carl V. West Jr. of Girard is slightly injured when his tiny single-seat aircraft crashes on takeoff from Youngstown Executive Airport and is demolished. The plane was one of two home-built ones powered by Volkswagen engines that attracted considerable attention while on display at Southern Park Mall.
Under sunny skies, an estimated 2,000 Trumbull area young people and adults participate in the 25-kilometer March of Dimes WalkAmerica Superwalk in Warren.
Jim Davis, the actor who played Jock Ewing, the white-maned patriarch on the night-time soap opera, "Dallas," dies at the age of 72.
April 27, 1966: More than 1,000 people attend the annual recognition dinner of the Mahoning Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, at the Idora Park Ballroom. Silver Beaver awards are presented to Dr. Frederick S. Coombs, Maynard A. Ebert and Thomas Richardson.
Pfc. Amalio Gonzalez, 22, of Wilson Ave., is killed in action in Vietnam while in combat against hostile forces.
The way is cleared for a study of the need for an Urban League in Youngstown when the Community Chest's Executive Committee meets in Hotel Pick-Ohio.
April 27, 1956: Youngstown Police Chief Paul Cress says he will investigate reports that the star at the Park Burlesque stripped to the nude on stage, and that the show is smutty, obscene and attracts a high-school-age audience.
Officials of Youngstown's three hospitals -- St. Elizabeth's and two Youngstown Hospital Association units -- have filled every bed and have a waiting list of 150 patients. Although the waiting list isn't a record, it is unusually high for this time of year.
The Republican 1956 ticket is all but wrapped up as vice President Richard Nixon announces that he will seek re-election and President Eisenhower says he is "delighted."
April 27, 1931: C.E. Yacoli, chairman of the diversified industries committee of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce, says a metal stamping concern employing about 100 men will probably locate in Youngstown in the near future.
In spite of hail, snow, rain and temperatures as low as 27 degrees over the weekend, fruit in Mahoning County escaped with only slight damage, J.C. Hedge, Mahoning County farm agent, says. Oats, wheat and other farm and garden crops will benefit from the rain and snow, he said.
Citing economic factors that mitigate against bringing children into the world who cannot be adequately provided for, the Protestant Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church of the United States issue reports proposing that birth control be recognized as legitimate practice within a marriage.