Today in history

Today is Friday, May 8, the 128th day of 2009. There are 237 days left in the year. On this date in 1945, President Harry S. Truman announces in a radio address that Nazi Germany’s forces have surrendered in World War II, and that “the flags of freedom fly all over Europe.”

In 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reaches the Mississippi River. In 1794, Antoine Lavoisier, the father of modern chemistry, is executed on the guillotine during France’s Reign of Terror. In 1846, the first major battle of the Mexican-American War is fought at Palo Alto, Texas; U.S. forces led by Gen. Zachary Taylor are able to beat back the Mexican forces. In 1884, the 33rd president of the United States, Harry S. Truman, is born in Lamar, Mo. In 1958, Vice President Richard Nixon is shoved, stoned, booed and spat upon by anti-American protesters in Lima, Peru. In 1962, the musical comedy “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opens on Broadway. In 1973, militant American Indians who’d held the South Dakota hamlet of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks surrender.

May 8, 1984: Colorado Sen. Gary Hart tells 1,000 supporters during a stop in Boardman that he’s taking the race for the Democratic presidential nomination “all the way.” Hart is accompanied by actress Debra Winger, star of such movies as “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Terms of Endearment.”

Youngstown Mayor Patrick J. Ungaro proposes hiring temporary workers to repair and clean the city’s streets.

May 8, 1969: The Citizens Planning Council recommends to Mayor A.B. Flask that a $6 million civic arena and convention center be built on property bounded by Vindicator Square, Chestnut, Front and Commerce streets.

The Beaver Township Volunteer Fire Department adds a tanker truck to its garage. The full-size tanker and GMC tractor was donated by Corey Oil Co.

May 8, 1959: Christ Sofocleous, 30, of Campbell, is in St. Elizabeth Hospital with severe injuries suffered when a bomb exploded after he started his car, which was parked less than 1,000 feet from the hospital.

Post-election analysis shows that Frank R. Franko won the three-way race for the Democratic nomination for mayor based on high turnout in a relatively few precincts, especially those in the 2nd and 3rd wards.

May 8, 1934: The Struthers Board of Education is asked to recognize a teachers union. Meanwhile, Andy Hubbard, president of the Labor Congress, says that a Youngstown teachers union will soon be granted a charter by the AF of L.

Acting on a request by Gov. Horner of Illinois, Gov. George White of Ohio places a $1,000 reward on the head of gangster John Dillinger.