Today is Friday, April 27, the 117th day of 2007. There are 248 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Friday, April 27, the 117th day of 2007. There are 248 days left in the year. On this date 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 1509, Pope Julius II excommunicates the republic of Venice. (The pope lifts the ban in February 1510.) In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan is killed by natives in the Philippines. In 1822, the 18th president of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, is born in Point Pleasant, Ohio. In 1865, the steamer Sultana explodes on the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tenn., killing more than 1,400 people, mostly Union prisoners of war. In 1932, American poet Hart Crane, 32, drowns after jumping from a steamer into the Gulf of Mexico while en route to New York. In 1947, it is "Babe Ruth Day" at Yankee Stadium as baseball fans, not just in New York, but across the country as well, honor the ailing star.
April 27, 1982: Retired Youngstown Police Chief Stanley Peterson applies for severance pay of 24,000 in unused sick leave, accrued vacation and overtime.
The Tamarkin Co. announces plans to open two new Valu King stores in recently closed Kroger locations on Boardman-Canfield Road and Market Street.
The Boardman Board of Education approves a reduction in force of 11 teachers for the coming school year, over the objections of one member, Don Mathey, and the Boardman Education Association.
April 27, 1967: A explosion tears through several walls of an unoccupied house on property used by the Belmont Excavating Co. in Liberty Township. The company is owned by three DeNiro brothers, Harold, John and Anthony.
General Fireproofing Co. reports first quarter earnings of 1.2 million on sales of 20 million, a record for the company.
April 27, 1957: Temperatures in downtown Youngstown soar 20 degrees in three hours, reaching 85 by noon and inching toward the record high for the date of 88 degrees.
Siamese twin boys are born at North Side Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. William Freeman. They are believed to be the first conjoined babies born in Youngstown.
April 27, 1932: The first of the new Ford eight-cylinder cars are arriving at Youngstown dealerships.
Youngstown purchases two Indian motorcycles for 387 each to be used by traffic cops to chase speeders and reckless drivers.