Today is Wednesday, April 1, the 91st day of 2009. There are 274 days left in the year. This is

Today is Wednesday, April 1, the 91st day of 2009. There are 274 days left in the year. This is April Fool’s Day. On this date in 1945, American forces launch the amphibious invasion of Okinawa during World War II.

In 1853, Cincinnati establishes a fire department made up of paid city employees. In 1933, Nazi Germany begins persecuting Jews with a boycott of Jewish-owned businesses. In 1939, the United States recognizes the government of Gen. Francisco Franco in Spain, the same day Franco goes on radio to declare victory in the Spanish Civil War. In 1946, tidal waves strike the Hawaiian islands, resulting in more than 170 deaths. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a $1.85 billion emergency housing measure. In 1963, most of New York City’s daily newspapers resumed publishing after settlement is reached in a 114-day strike. In 1984, recording star Marvin Gaye is shot to death by his father, Marvin Gay Sr., in Los Angeles, the day before his 45th birthday. (The elder Gay pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter, and receives probation.)

April 1, 1984: Mahoning Valley residents will rally at Stambaugh Auditorium for a television commercial being filmed to publicize Rally Round the Valley, an area-wide beautification campaign.

A new Ohio law guaranteeing most public employees the right to bargain collectively could set off a free-for-all among unions seeking to represent an estimated 300,000 non-union government employees in the state.

April 1, 1969: Mahoning County Sheriff Ray T. Davis fails to appear at a meeting arranged by Mahoning County commissioners and John J. Angelo, secretary-treasurer of Local 377, Teamsters union, to discuss recognition of 90 percent of the employees in the sheriff’s department as members of the Teamsters.

Some 3,250 students in the Struthers School District are out of class as the Struthers Education Association declares a “professional day” to protest the school board’s failure to honor an agreement with the teachers union.

April 1, 1959: Gov. Michael V. DiSalle says state Sen. Charles J. Carney has tried to use his position to make requests directly to state department heads to get friends appointed to boards and jobs. DiSalle and Carney have been feuding.

Downtown shoppers and merchants complain that Youngstown police and city officials and employees are parking city vehicles on S. Phelps and Boardman streets, tying up metered parking that is meant for the public.

April 1, 1934: After meeting with Mayor Mark Moore, Chief Leroy Goodwin orders 169 members of the Youngstown police department to work full time at half pay for two months. Presiding Judge Peter Mulholland says court bailiffs and clerks will also continue to work at half pay.

A 30-year-old Youngstown woman is questioned by police in connection with the sale of $54,000 in stolen bonds to a Cincinnati bank.