Today in history: Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Today is Wednesday, April 8, the 98th day of 2009. There are 267 days left in the year. The Jewish holiday Passover begins at sunset. On this date in 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 715th career home run in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, breaking Babe Ruth’s record.

In 1513, explorer Juan Ponce de Leon and his expedition begin exploring the Florida coastline. In 1913, the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, providing for direct popular election of United States senators (as opposed to appointment by state legislatures), is ratified. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Emergency Relief Appropriations Act, which provides money for programs such as the Works Progress Administration. In 1946, the League of Nations assembles in Geneva for its final session. In 1952, President Harry S. Truman seizes the steel industry to avert a nationwide strike. (The U.S. Supreme Court later rules that Truman had overstepped his authority.)

April 8, 1984: James A. Traficant Jr., seeking the Democratic nomination for the 17th District congressional seat, says he would introduce legislation to cut off foreign aid, to subsidize the steel industry and put tariffs on imports, to cut the flow of illegal aliens into the country and to give tax credit for the purchase of American cars.

Dennis Tyler, head of the Youngstown FOP, says he supports a proposal by Councilman Pete Starks that city policemen should be bonded when they are working private security jobs in order to protect the city from lawsuits.

Speaking to 500 supporters in Farrell, Pa., Jesse Jackson, a Democratic presidential candidate, says the country has “lost its way.”

April 8, 1969: Staff members are being recruited for Mahoning County’s Head Start program at the Youngstown Area Community Action office on Oak Hill Avenue and eligible children are being enrolled at neighborhood centers.

Plans for the proposed Choffin Vocational Center are submitted for preliminary review to the Housing and Urban Development regional staff in Chicago.

Four masked and armed bandits smash down the door at the Canfield Township home of Garnet F. Howard, operator of G.F. Howard Construction Co., and tie Howard and his wife to a bedpost while they rummage through the room for jewelry and firearms. The bandits fled when they saw a State Patrol cruiser approaching. A house guest had slipped out unnoticed and notified police.

April 8, 1959: Mahoning County Prosecutor Thomas A. Beil notifies area bottlers that bottle-cap lotteries, which involve saving soft cap bottles to spell out phrases and win prizes, are an illegal lottery under Ohio law. He warns Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Golden Age bottlers that he will be forced to prosecute if they violate the law.

Samuel K. Hine, great-grandson of Turhand Kirtland, who donated the village green to Poland some 150 years ago, wills $215,000 to the village for maintenance of the green. Hine died in 1942, but the estate was in trust until after the deaths of his wife and sister.

April 8, 1934: Five hundred veterans of the fighting 37th Ohio division, some of whom had not met since they were discharged in May 1919, hold a reunion at the Eagles Hall. Maj. John A. Logan, who recently returned from the Far East, is cheered when he is introduced by Col. Wade Christy.

The West Avenue water pumping station may be used for a new police station under plans being considered by Mayor Mark E. Moore and Water Commissioner Dan Parish.

Receipt of new orders amounting to more than $650,000 from one of the large automobile companies is announced by Mullins Manufacturing Corp. in Salem. More than 200 men and women are added to the payroll.