Five Things You Need to Know Today: Oct. 18

On this day in history: the U.S. took over Alaska from Russia (1867), Thomas Edison died (1931), Mike Ditka was born (1939), Yankee Reggie Jackson hit three home runs to lift his team over the Dodger in the World Series (1977) and Zac Efron was born (1987).

1. The meets at 7:30 p.m. today in the auditorium at .

2. The Braintree Girl Scouts meet at in Logan Auditorium from 7 pm. to 8:30 p.m.

3. The Municipal Light Board has a meeting at 5 p.m. on the second floor at 150 Potter Road.

4. Lots of sports today:

Girls varsity soccer at Needham at 7:15 p.m. JV is at 5:15 p.m.

Girls varsity field hocket at Needham at 3:45 p.m. JV is at 5:15 p.m.

Boys varsity and JV soccer at home against Needham at 3:45 p.m.

Girls and boys varsity cross country against Milton at

5. This morning from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. BHS 9th graders will attend a MARC Massachusetts Bullying and Cyber-Bullying Presentation. MARC is the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater University. Last year they came as well: .