Bethel Daily Briefing: Tuesday, Dec. 20

Today is Tuesday, December 20, 2011, the 354th day of the year. Including today, there are 5 more days until Christmas. Today is also the first night of Hannukah. 

Today's Weather

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. North wind between 6 and 11 mph. 
• Monday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 25. Light and variable wind. 

Municipal Meetings

• There is a Board of Selectmen meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A of the municipal center. 
• At 7 p.m., the Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a meeting in Meeting Room D (agenda). 

Events, Reminders, Notices

• Hedgehog & Company First Anniversary: Today is Hedgehog & Company's First Anniversary in Bethel. Stop by and visit and enjoy 10 percent off purchases over $50 now until New Year's - plus join them for festive holiday refreshments every weekend of the Holiday Season. In addition to their regular hours, they will be open on Monday the 19th- and open Christmas Eve the 24th until 1 p.m.

Today in History

• 1803: The Louisiana Purchase is completed at a ceremony in New Orleans.
• 1860: South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the United States.
• 1946: The popular Christmas film "It's a Wonderful Life" is first released in New York City.
• 1989: The United States sends troops into Panama to overthrow government of Manuel Noriega. This is also the first combat use of purpose-designed stealth aircraft.
• 2007: Elizabeth II becomes the oldest ever monarch of the United Kingdom, surpassing Queen Victoria, who lived for 81 years, 7 months and 29 days.

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