Today is Thursday, April 3, the 94th day of 2008. There are 272 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Thursday, April 3, the 94th day of 2008. There are 272 days left in the year. On this date in 1968, the day before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn., the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his famous “mountaintop” speech to a rally of striking sanitation workers.

In 1783, author Washington Irving is born in New York. In 1860, the legendary Pony Express begins service between St. Joseph, Mo., and Sacramento, Calif. In 1865, Union forces occupy the Confederate capital of Richmond, Va. In 1882, outlaw Jesse James is shot to death in St. Joseph, Mo., by Robert Ford, a member of James’ gang. In 1936, Bruno Hauptmann is electrocuted in Trenton, N.J., for the kidnap-murder of the Lindbergh child. In 1946, Lt. Gen. Masaharu Homma, the Japanese commander responsible for the Bataan Death March, is executed by firing squad outside Manila. In 1948, President Truman signs into law the Marshall Plan, designed to help European allies rebuild after World War II and resist Communism. In 1968, North Vietnam agrees to meet with U.S. representatives to set up preliminary peace talks.

April 3, 1983: Warren’s building department is notifying business owners that portable advertising signs that have grown in number outside businesses are illegal in the city. The signs are criticized as unsightly and a possible traffic hazard.

Under a proposed Mahoning County charter proposed by a Blue Ribbon Committee created in December 1980 by the county commissioners, a top executive for the county would be elected.

U.S. Rep. Dennis E. Eckart, D-11th, brings the concept of Town Hall meetings to the voters of his district, which sprawls across five counties, including Ashtabula and Trumbull counties.

April 3, 1968: While making an appeal for passage of a 12-mill levy, Woodrow W. Zinzer, Youngstown superintendent, tells nearly 200 people at Chaney High School that the Board of Education is not considering an extension of busing of Youngstown public school students.

Nancy Haney, Miss Teenage Youngstown, is official hostess for the 17th annual Home and Garden Show when it opens at the Idora Park ballroom.

The Vindicator will serialize J. Edgar Hoover’s new book, “Masters of deceit,” that exposes the plots and plans of the Communists in the United States.

April 3, 1958: Orland Carabbia attempts to circumvent a court order padlocking his Hilltop Club in Struthers, a notorious gambling joint, by transferring the deed to his brother, Anthony.

Fifth Ward Councilman Ray T. Davis says the city could reduce its collection schedule from once every nine to 14 days to once a week if residents were required to place their garbage at the curb.

Jimmy Rodgers of “Honeycomb” fame will headline the Youngstown Fire Fighters Association Show at Stambaugh Auditorium. Among other acts signed are the “Rhythm Kings,” a high-stepping, jet-propelled singing and dancing trio.

April 3, 1933: Michael McGovern, “puddler poet” and philosopher, self-taught artist and musician, dies of a heart attack at 85 at his home, 376 Grace St. His work was known to iron workers throughout the country.

About 1,000 World War veterans will be affected in Youngstown by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s order reducing pension and disability allowances.

A.P. Steckel, president of Cold Metal Process Co., says a contract has been signed with Krupp A.G. of Germany, foremost steel concern in Europe, to handle the Steckel patents in Europe and build mills there.