Years Ago

Today is Friday, April 27, the 118th day of 2012. There are 248 days left in the year.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1521: Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan is killed by natives in the Philippines.

1777: The only land battle in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Ridgefield, takes place, resulting in a limited British victory.

1805: During the First Barbary War, an American-led force of Marines and mercenaries captures the city of Derna, on the shores of Tripoli.

1822: The 18th president of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, is born in Point Pleasant, Ohio.

1865: The steamer Sultana explodes on the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tenn., killing more than 1,400 people, mostly freed Union prisoners of war.

VINDICATOR FILES

1987: Georgiana Bailey of Salem, a staff representative for Secretary of State Sherrod Brown, says “getting out the vote” is a top priority for her office, and she’ll work with any group toward that end.

1972: Sen Hubert Humphrey, candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, tells a crowd of nearly 2,000, most of them young at Chaney High School, that the Democratic National Convention will include representation from minorities and the young.

Youngstown’s major department stores, Strouss’ and McKelvey’s, announce they will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 29, the official day to celebrate Memorial Day.

The Youngstown Area Community Action Council cuts operating funds for the Mahoning County Legal Assistance Association because the association failed to provide legal representation for the North Side Concerned Parents in the Hayes Middle School discipline dispute.

1962: After questions are raised in city council about the price of two Buicks being bought for the mayor and water commissioner, Buick Youngstown says it will cut its bid of $7,288 for both cars by $600 and will provide the city with two larger Electra 225 sedans rather than LeSabre hardtops.

A long dream of the Mahoning Valley is realized with ground breaking for the $14.5 million West Branch Reservoir. Speaking at a luncheon before the ground breaking, U.S. Rep. John E. Fogarty of Rhode Island tells civic leaders that Youngstown’s Mike Kirwan is the only man who can get a Lake Erie-Ohio River canal built.

1937: Phillip Murray, chairman of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee, speaks to 1,000 enthusiastic recruits for the CIO at a rally at the Idora Park Theater.

Dr. I.E. Philo, dean of the Youngstown area rabbinate, is honored for his work in the Zionist movement and for 25 years of service in Youngstown, at a testimonial dinner in the Anshe Emeth Temple social parlor.

Henry G. Dalton, chairman of the board of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co., challenges President Roosevelt’s assertion that steel prices are too high in an address to Sheet & Tube stockholders at the Dollar Bank.