DAILY ALMANAC

Today is Sunday, Dec. 9, the 343rd day of 2018. There are 22 days left in the year.

Highlights in history

• In 1608, English poet John Milton was born in London. • In 1917, British forces captured Jerusalem from the Ottoman Turks.

• In 1935, the Downtown Athletic Club of New York honored college football player Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago with the DAC Trophy, which later became known as the Heisman Trophy.

• In 1965, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the first animated TV special featuring characters from the “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, premiered on CBS.

• In 1987, the first Palestinian intefadeh, or uprising, began as riots broke out in Gaza and spread to the West Bank, triggering a strong Israeli response.

• One year ago: Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield became the sixth Sooner to win college football’s Heisman Trophy.

Birthdays Actor Kirk Douglas: 102 today

• 84: Judi Dench, actress

• 76: Dick Butkus, football hall of famer

• 50: Brian Bell, rock musician (Weezer)

• 48: Kara DioGuardi, songwriter and former “American Idol” judge

• 38: Simon Helberg, actor • 23: McKayla Maroney, Olympic goldmedal-winning gymnast

Thought for today

“In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.” Source: Associated Press