Today is Thursday, Jan. 1, the first day of 2009. There are 364 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Thursday, Jan. 1, the first day of 2009. There are 364 days left in the year. On this date in 1959, Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries overthrow Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista, who flees to the Dominican Republic.

In 1808, a law prohibiting the importation of slaves into the United States goes into effect. In 1863, President Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that slaves in rebel states are free. In 1890, the first Tournament of Roses is held in Pasadena, Calif. In 1892, the Ellis Island Immigrant Station in New York formally opens. In 1898, New York City is consolidated into five boroughs. In 1909, five-term Republican Sen. Barry Goldwater is born in Phoenix, Arizona Territory.

January 1, 1984: Federal regulators are weighing a Boston company’s proposal for a hydroelectric generating station at Berlin Reservoir against the objections of state and federal agencies concerned about harm to fish in the lake and the Mahoning River downstream.

Nick Julian, 52, a retired B&O Railroad worker from Youngstown, receives a new heart during an operation at Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh, hours before his health insurance ran out.

Sam Wyche is named head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, becoming the youngest head coach in the National Football League at the age of 38.

January 1, 1969: The death toll on Mahoning County roads in 1968 was 58, including 23 in the city of Youngstown.

In contrast to reports from many parts of the United States, Youngstown hospitals say they have no shortage of blood supplies. A Youngstown physician notes that while Red Cross blood banks are running short, the private blood banks in the city have adequate supplies.

January 1, 1959: Youngstown compiles its second best traffic record in history, with 12 traffic fatalities in 1958. The best was six in 1953.

J.L. Mauthe, chairman of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co., predicts “reasonably good business” in 1959.

A new law goes into effect with the new year giving the federal government oversight of $40 billion worth of worker welfare and pension funds. The private pension funds cover an estimated 85 million workers.

January 1, 1934: Youngstown Police Chief LeRoy Goodwin appoints three new members of the Youngstown police force. Stephen Birich, Frank Watters and Clyde A. Reid begin patrols immediately.

Dorothy Jane Faddock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Faddock, 2625 Tampa Ave., is the first baby born in Youngstown in 1934, born at 12:01 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

Merrymakers stream into downtown Youngstown to mark the New Year, providing the most raucous crowd in many years. Hundreds of people are turned away from the most popular restaurants and night clubs.