In today's weather forecast we are expecting a fine day with high cloud and gentle northerlies developing in the evening.

It's a two-clothing layer day today with a high of 21 and an overnight low of 14 degrees. Humidity is 93 per cent.

Low tide is at 1.40pm and high tide at 7.40pm (Tay St). There's a sea swell of 0.3m and sea temperature is 19 degrees. Sunset tonight is at 8.08pm.

If you're going fishing the next best fish bite time is between 11.50am and 1.50pm.

On this day in NZ history in 1947 there was a civic funeral for 41 Ballantyne's fire victims. On 18 November 1947 Ballantyne's, a Christchurch department store that was a local institution, was razed by one of the worst fires in New Zealand's history. The bodies of the 41 victims were buried at Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Bromley, after a civic funeral.

In 1986 Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in windy Wellington.

In world history on this day in 1909 the Wright brothers formed a million-dollar corporation for the commercial manufacture of their airplanes.

In 1921 President Warren G. Harding signed the Willis-Campbell Act, better known as the anti-beer bill. It forbade doctors to prescribe beer or liquor for medicinal purposes.

In 1934 the United States and Great Britain agreed on a 5-5-3 naval ratio, with both countries allowed to build five million tons of naval ships while Japan could only build three. Japan would denounce the treaty.

In 1942 the film Casablanca premiered in New York City. In 1980 in Europe's biggest earthquake since 1915, 3,000 people were killed in Italy.

In 1990 the first all-woman expedition to the South Pole set off from Antarctica on the first part of a 70-day trip; the group included 12 Russians, 3 Americans and 1 Japanese.

In 1992 the first Smartphone, IBM's Simon, was introduced at COMDEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Today is the birthday of author and poet Gloria Whelan. Born in 1923 she once wrote 'But what doesn't die is the love we give to others.”

To get involved in activities around the Bay of Plenty, please check out our What's on page.

Have a great day!