The Pony Express, Hillary Clinton and Clouds

Welcome to October 26, 2011!

1. On this day in 1776, Benjamin Franklin left America for France to gain support for the American Revolution. 

2. The Erie Canal opened on Oct. 26, 1825.

3. The Pony Express, which carried mail east-west across the Country, closed shop on Oct. 26, 1861.  

4. The USA Patriot Act was passed into law on Oct. 26, 2001. 

5. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton turns 64 today. Other Oct. 26 birthdays include American businessman Benjamin Guggenheim (1865-1912), Kenyan aviator pioneer and author Beryl Markham (1902-1986), American actor Jackie Coogan (1914-1984), British actor Bob Hoskins (b.1942), American anthropologist and physician Dr. Paul Edward Farmer, British actor Cary Elwes, American singer Natalie Merchant (1963), "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane (b.1973) and "Napoleon Dynamite" actor John Heder (b.1977).

6. Today is the day for the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Prime Time Business Expo. Is this the opportunity to ramp up your business for the end of the year? The event is at 5821 Richmond Highway and will be held at 6:30 p.m. For details, click .  

7. The weather today will be cloudy with a high temperature of 70. The evening will bring a 50% chance of rain, with a low of about 54, according to the National Weather Service.

Have a fun day!