A Look Back, April 30

50 Years Ago

■A bill barring discrimination in public employment on the basis of the applicant’s sexual preference has passed its first test in the Massachusetts House. The measure prohibits state and municipal hiring authorities from rejecting job applicants on the grounds of homosexuality. Opponents of the bill say such a law is unnecessary.

■St. Michael’s High School director, the Rev. Roy Duquette, today confirmed that the school will open in the fall. Father Duquette said he had been “in contact with the diocesan office” on Monday by telephone and that he is awaiting an official letter confirming the decision by the diocesan officials to keep open the regional high school.

25 Years Ago

■Contractors removed the boilers at Northampton High School last week as part of a massive school renovation project, and students have been suffering for days in unseasonable chill. The teachers who were keeping track said their classrooms had dropped below 60 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday.

■Jeffrey and Diana Krauth, owners of Beyond Words Bookshop for the last 22 years, are ending their careers as booksellers. After two years of contemplation, they said Wednesday that they decided to sell the bookstore, a downtown anchor business that offers traditional books as well as a large collection of New Age books.

10 Years Ago

■Pivotal Justice Anthony Kennedy, whose vote could decide the same-sex marriage issue for the nation, did not tip his hand Tuesday in historic arguments at the Supreme Court. But Kennedy’s record on the issue could give encouragement to gay and lesbian couples.

■Police briefly shut down part of the Tuesday Market while the State Police bomb squad investigated an unattended duffle bag in the Armory Street parking lot Tuesday afternoon. They discovered it contained a strobe light, Police Capt. Jody Kasper said.