It's Monday, Oct. 8, the 282nd day of 2012. There are 84 days left in the year.
In History
Highlights: In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire erupted. In 1956, Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in a World Series to date as the New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5, 2-0.
Ten years ago: A federal judge approved President George W. Bush's request to reopen the West Coast ports, ending a 10-day labor lockout that was costing the U.S. economy an estimated $1 to $2 billion a day.
Five years ago: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced his country would halve its remaining troop contingent in Iraq in the spring of 2008. (Britain ended up postponing the withdrawal amid a spike in militia violence.)
One year ago: Scott Anderson became the Presbyterian Church's first openly gay ordained minister during a ceremony in Madison, Wis.
Birthdays
Actor Paul Hogan is 73. Civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson is 71. Comedian Chevy Chase is 69. Author R.L. Stine is 69. Actress Sigourney Weaver is 63. Actor-screenwriter Matt Damon is 42.
— From wire reports
