Five Things to Know Today, March 1

Welcome to Thursday and a new month. Here are some things to know as you head into the day.

The weather: The chance of rain is a mere 30 percent today, and we may get some sunshine. The high will be around 74 degrees. The low tonight: 59. There's a 60 percent chance of rain in the night, and we may have a thunderstorm after 1 a.m.

Gas prices: The good news is that a gallon of regular could be had for $3.62 at at least five gas stations in Lilburn as of Monday night, according to reports to www.georgiagasprices.com. The highest price was $3.67 (at Shell, 612 Rockbridge Road at Lilburn Stone Mountain Road).

Dam. Lake Lanier, and ultimately the water battle between metro Atlanta, Alabama and Florida, got started with the construction of Buford Dam on this day in 1950. The idea for a big dam to control flooding and provide water and power was driven by Atlanta Mayor William Hartsfield. But the $45 million tab was picked up by the federal government rather than Georgia, which is why the dam and lake are run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Venus. The first human craft to land on another plant got there on this day in 1966. Venera 3 was a Soviet project intended to explore Venus, the next planet toward the Sun from Earth. It launched on Nov. 16, 1965, bearing scientific instruments and medallions with the Soviet coat of arms. The radio communication system failed before any planetary data could be sent back. But it was the first vessel from Earth to reach another planet.

Oink! Give a hand, and maybe a treat, to a porker near you. Two sisters living in North Carolina and Texas started National Pig Day in 1972. In their words, the goal is "to accord the pig its rightful, though generally unrecognized, place as one of man's most intellectual and domesticated animals." It’s a time for pig appreciation, but it’s up to you whether that means giving the animals a break or cooking up their products.