5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 3

Good morning, Potomac! Here are the five things you need to know today to start out your morning.

1. The sun may be making an appearance today, but it will a little bit cooler with a high near 42 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. This evening it will be partly cloudy with a low around 28 degrees.

2. After a tough game, the Churchill boys' varsity basketball team lost to Magruder in the semifinal game last night, 62-55. Congratulations to the team for a strong finish and a great season!

3. If you have a little one, swing by the today at 10:30 a.m. for . This free program is a great way for children between the ages of 3 and 5 to engage with other children, sing songs and listen to stories. Caregivers are invited to come with the children, too. 

4. Oh, say can you see by the dawns early light ...? These words gained greater national significance on this day 80 years ago when “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the national anthem. On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional act making song the official national anthem of the United States.

The lyrics, however, are 170 years old. Francis Scott Key composed the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner" on Sept. 14, 1814, after witnessing the massive overnight British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812.

5. ’s performance of “Once on This Island” will begin today at 2 p.m. This one-act musical deals with differences between wealthy upper class landowners and poor peasants. The show also includes elements of a Romeo and Juliet story. Another showing will take place on Friday at 7 p.m. Shows will be at Bullis’ Blair Family Center for the Arts.