Day in History and Daily Briefing, Oct. 26, 2011

It's Wednesday, October 26, the 299th day of the year.

Today's Top Headlines

Today's Weather

Wednesday: A chance of light rain, mainly after 7 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Wednesday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Light northwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Events & Reminders

• Diaper Drive all day at the Oxford Ambulance Association

Today in History

1774: The first Continental Congress adjourns in Philadelphia, PA.

1775: King George III goes before Parliament to declare the American colonies in rebellion and authorized a military response to quell the American Revolution.

1881: The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral takes place in Tombstone, AZ.

1977: The last natural case of smallpox is discovered in Merca district, Somalia. The WHO and CDC consider this date the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox, the most spectacular success of vaccination.

2001: The U.S. passes the USA PATRIOT Act into law.

Weather information taken from the National Weather Service. Today in History compiled from Wikipedia and other sources.