WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2011

Today is Wednesday, October 5, the 278th day of 2011. There are 87 days left in the year.

1582 ― Gregorian calendar introduced in Italy, other Catholic countries

1762 ― The opera ``Orfeo Ed Euridice" is produced (Vienna)

1864 ― Most of Calcutta destroyed by cyclone (about 60,000 die)

1908 ― Bulgaria declares independence from Turkey, Ferdinand I becomes Tsar

1910 ― Portugal overthrows monarchy, proclaims republic

1931 ― First nonstop trans-Pacific flight, Japan to Washington (Herndon and Pangborn)

1962 ― Beatles release their first record ``Love Me Do"

1983 ― Lech Walesa wins the Nobel Peace Prize

1984 ― 13th Space Shuttle Mission (41-G), Challenger 6, launched

1986 ― London Sunday Times reports Israel is stocking nuclear arms