Today in history

Today is Saturday, April 18, the 108th day of 2009. There are 257 days left in the year. On this date in 1906, a devastating earthquake strikes San Francisco, followed by raging fires; estimates of the final death toll range between 3,000 and 6,000.

In 1775, Paul Revere begins his famous ride from Charlestown to Lexington, Mass., warning American colonists that the British are coming. In 1907, San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel opens, a year to the day after the earthquake. In 1942, an air squadron from the USS Hornet led by Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle raids Tokyo and other Japanese cities. In 1945, famed American war correspondent Ernie Pyle, 44, is killed by Japanese gunfire on the Pacific island of Ie Shima, off Okinawa.

April 18, 1984: Union officials are estimating Trumbull Memorial Hospital’s financial liability at $3.5 million as a result of a National Labor Relations Board administrative judge’s ruling that found the hospital guilty of unfair practices during a 20-week strike in 1982.

A passerby, Brian McMurray, 22, of Churchill Road, responds to the cries for help from Joanne Noufer of 553 Joan Ave., Girard. She escaped her burning house, but her husband and mother were still inside. McMurray entered the house, found Andrew Noufer and Ruth Hinchcliff, and led them to safety.

A proposal that would establish a new technology center, linking Youngstown State University and its affiliates with regional manufacturers by way of the state’s Thomas Alva Edison Partnership Program, is sent to the Ohio Department of Development.

Vandals loosen the cables supporting the “Pete” Mauthe Footbridge in Poland Municipal Forest, causing the bridge to fall into Yellow Creek.

April 18, 1969: Frank Leseganich, president of Local 1462, United Steelworkers of America, is certified by the international as the victor over John Griffin for the director of USW district 26.

General Motors Corp. says the 4,000 school buses that it is recalling for brake work should be removed from service immediately.

Five of 28 faculty members at Youngstown State University receiving promotions are named full professors. They are: Dr. Marvin W. Chrisp and Dr. William A. Shipman, both education; Pauline E. Botty, sociology; Frank M. Ellis, physics, and Dr. Paul D. Van Zandt, biology.

Youngstown State University trustees approve an $18 million proposed operating budget for 1969-70 and are informed that the building cost for the Beeghly Physical Education Center has jumped from $3.5 million to $5 million.

April 18, 1959: The Junior Chamber of Commerce “Clean Up, Paint Up, Fix Up” parade gets off to a rainy start in downtown Youngstown, but thousands of shoppers still stop to watch the two bands, fire engines, 1959 model cars and floats.

On his trip to Washington, D.C., Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro visits the Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon, The Jefferson Memorial and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Ceremony. About 200 anti-Castro pickets demonstrate near his hotel.

Public reaction to “Operation Alert,” a Civil Defense drill in downtown Youngstown, is mixed. Some took shelter, but others went about their business when the siren signalling a nuclear attack sounded.

April 18, 1934: Nils P. Johnson, state senator for three terms, dies at his home, 11 E. Woodland Ave., two months after undergoing an operation. During his legislative careers, he introduced bills to establish an old age pension and to limit the jurisdiction of squires.

More than 50 skilled workers and laborers are given jobs on the $149,000 municipal building at East Liverpool and additional men will be hired until a quota of 150 is reached.

Though Miss Mildred Strain of Struthers is only in her first year at Youngstown College, she is chosen queen of the third annual Junior Prom, which will be held at the Hotel Ohio.

Youngstown Superintendent George Roudebush says Ohio schools face the most severe financial crisis since the period of 1835 to 1848 if the Ohio legislature adjourns without approving school aid legislation.