A Look Back: March 22

50 Years Ago

■Warning against a “headlong rush toward technological disaster,” consumer advocate Ralph Nader told an overflow crowd at the University of Massachusetts yesterday that the use of nuclear power plants is “the beginning of the end of the United States of America unless we stop it.”

■In Hampshire County District Court today, Special Justice Alvertus J. Morse levied $50 court costs against two local women for indecent exposure on Pleasant Street on March 10. The two were charged for “running from one side of the street to the other” at 1:35 a.m., while nude from the waist down.

25 Years Ago

■A group hoping to raise enough money to erect a statue in honor of Sojourner Truth isn’t too proud for pocket change. Beginning this week, the Sojourner Truth Monument Statue Committee began placing jars at stores and offices around the city, encouraging people to donate change to help raise money to pay for a statue honoring the 19th century abolitionist.

■The City Council Thursday night heard Mayor Mary L. Ford read a proclamation declaring March 21 to 27 “Equality Begins at Home Week.” According to the proclamation, the event is the “first-ever coordinated campaign for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people to focus on state legislative issues.”

10 Years Ago

■Northampton smokers have until June 1 before new regulations take effect that will curb where they will be able to light up and restrict cigar and other tobacco sales. As of June 1, smoking will be prohibited in public and private clubs, workplaces, city parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, swimming areas, nursing homes, within 25 feet of city buildings, and all outdoor areas of restaurants and bus stops and taxicab waiting areas.

■The Northampton City Council Thursday night approved a petition to cut fees in half for most property owners in the downtown Business Improvement District, despite requests from several of the group’s most vocal critics to table a vote until pending lawsuits against the city are settled.