Today is Wednesday, Dec. 3, the 338th day of 2008. There are 28 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On Dec. 3, 1967, surgeons in Cape Town, South Africa, led by Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the first human heart transplant on Louis Washkansky, who lived 18 days with the new heart.

On this date:

• In 1818, Illinois was admitted as the 21st state.

• In 1828, Andrew Jackson was elected president of the United States by the Electoral College.

Today’s Birthdays: Country singer Ferlin Husky is 83. Singer Andy Williams is 81. Movie director Jean-Luc Godard is 78. Singer Jaye P. Morgan is 77. Actress Mary Alice is 67. Rock singer Ozzy Osbourne is 60. Actress Heather Menzies is 59. Rock singer Mickey Thomas is 59. Country musician Paul Gregg (Restless Heart) is 54. Actor Steven Culp is 53. Actress Daryl Hannah is 48. Actress Julianne Moore is 48. Actor Brendan Fraser is 40. Singer Montell Jordan is 40. Actor Royale Watkins is 39. Actor Bruno Campos is 35. Actress Holly Marie Combs is 35. Actress Lauren Roman is 33. Pop-rock singer Daniel Bedingfield is 29. Actress Anna Chlumsky is 28. Actor Brian Bonsall is 27. Actress Amanda Seyfried is 23. Actor Michael Angarano is 21. Actor Jake T. Austin is 14.

Thought for Today: “There is a way to look at the past. Don’t hide from it. It will not catch you if you don’t repeat it.”—Pearl Bailey, American entertainer (1918-1990).