Today is Sunday, April 6, the 97th day of 2008. There are 269 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Sunday, April 6, the 97th day of 2008. There are 269 days left in the year. On this date in 1909, explorers Robert E. Peary, Matthew A. Henson and four Inuits become the first men to reach the North Pole. (The claim, disputed by skeptics, is upheld in 1989 by the Navigation Foundation.)

In 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is organized by Joseph Smith in Fayette, N.Y. In 1858, President Buchanan issues a proclamation declaring Mormons in the Utah Territory to be in a state of rebellion against the U.S. government. In 1862, the Civil War Battle of Shiloh begins in Tennessee as Confederate forces launch a surprise attack against Union troops, who beat back the Confederates the next day. In 1896, the first modern Olympic games formally open in Athens, Greece. In 1917, Congress approves a declaration of war against Germany. In 1954, after being criticized by Edward R. Murrow on CBS’ “See It Now,” Sen. Joseph McCarthy delivers a filmed response in which he charges that Murrow had in the past “engaged in propaganda for Communist causes.” In 1963, the United States signs an agreement to sell the Polaris missile system to Britain. In 1965, the United States launches the Intelsat I, also known as the “Early Bird” communications satellite, into orbit. In 1994, the presidents of Rwanda and Burundi are killed in a mysterious plane crash near Rwanda’s capital; widespread violence and killings erupt in Rwanda over claims the plane had been shot down.

April 6, 1983: A line a quarter-mile long forms at the SME Bessemer Cement Co. in Bessemer, Pa., where as many as 5,000 people are expected to fill out applications for 150 openings at the plant.

For the third straight year, Youngstown must pay nearly twice as much for workers compensation than it would if its safety record were better.

Warren General Hospital announces plans to build its first branch medical facility, an emergency care center in Andover.

Hills Department Store will close its Ridgeview Plaza store in Warren and move to the site vacated by Woolco on U.S. Rt. 422 in Niles.

April 6, 1968: Christian ministers in Youngstown preach Palm Sunday sermons comparing the sacrifices of Christ and Martin Luther King Jr. The Rev. Lonnie Simon, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, gives the eulogy at a public memorial service for Dr. King held at Stambaugh auditorium.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources releases 25,000 cobol salmon fingerlings into the Chargrin River in an effort to stock Lake Erie with a new sporting fish.

Rose Mary Romeo is crowned Youngstown State University’s “Ideal Coed” during a pageant in C.J. Strouss Memorial Auditorium. Runners up are Dianne Schuller and Patricia Vasko.

April 6, 1958: WFMJ radio and TV in cooperation with area merchants launch a campaign, “You Oughta Buy Now,” designed to spur sales, especially in downtown stores.

A 72-year-old Erie Street woman jumps to her death from a stone parapet of the Lake Newport Dam, the second Erie Street resident to commit suicide in as many days in Mill Creek Park.

Atty. William R. Stewart, 93, dean of Youngstown’s attorneys and the city’s first Negro lawyer, dies at his home at 514 Tod Lane. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati Law School in 1886.

Eleanor Steber, a native of Wheeling, W.Va., will sing the leading role of Donna Anna in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of “Don Giovanni” when the Met comes to Cleveland later in the month.

April 6, 1933: Six men and six women are sworn in to try Cyrus H. Neff, wealthy Canfield lumberman, on a charge of murder in connection with the death of his wife, Mary, Oct. 20 at their home in Canfield. The prosecutor claims premeditated murder to collect on an insurance policy; Neff’s lawyer says he didn’t know the gun he was holding was loaded and the shooting was accidental.

Mayor Mark E. Moore says no state beer licenses have been issued in Youngstown, so for the time being the city remains dry and vice officers will raid any beer joints they find in operation.

Hundreds of Youngstowners have applied at the state-city employment office for a spot in one of the federal reforestation camps being organized by the Roosevelt administration.

Over 5,000 men, women and children have gone to the G.M. McKelvey Co. to marvel at a miniature mechanical and electrical copy of Niagara Falls.