Today in history

Today is Wednesday, Oct. 3, the 276th day of 2018 and the 12th day of autumn.

Today’s History: In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln designated the last Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving.

In 1952, the United Kingdom conducted a successful test of an atomic bomb off the coast of Australia, becoming the world’s third nuclear power.

In 1990, East and West Germany were reunified.

In 1995, O.J. Simpson was acquitted of the murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

In 2008, President George W. Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, a bailout of the U.S. financial system.

Today’s Fact: In 1789, President George Washington announced that Nov. 26 of that year would be “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer,” the first in U.S. history.

Today’s Sports: In 1951, New York Giants player Bobby Thomson hit the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to clinch the National League pennant over the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Today’s Quote: “How marvelous books are, crossing worlds and centuries, defeating ignorance and, finally, cruel time itself.” — Gore Vidal, “Julian”

Today’s Number: $1 trillion — amount of public and private funds that eastern Germany received from western Germany in the five years following reunification.

Today’s Moon: Between last quarter moon (Oct. 2) and new moon (Oct. 8).