Today is the 305th day of 2012 and the 40th day of autumn.
TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, in protest of the selling of papal indulgences.
In 1957, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., established its first American headquarters in Hollywood, Calif.
In 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two bodyguards.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: John Keats (1795-1821), poet; Juliette Gordon Low (1860-1927), Girl Scouts founder; Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975), statesman; Dan Rather (1931- ), TV journalist; Michael Landon (1936-1991), actor; John Candy (1950-1994), actor; Jane Pauley (1950- ), TV journalist; Peter Jackson (1961- ), filmmaker; Dermot Mulroney (1963- ), actor; Piper Perabo (1976- ), actress; Willow Smith (2000- ), actress/singer.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1950, Earl Lloyd became the first African-American to play in an NBA game.
TODAY'S FACT: Japanese automaker Toyota began locating some manufacturing operations in the United States in 1972.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "Once the herd starts moving in one direction, it's very hard to turn it, even slightly." -- Dan Rather
TODAY'S NUMBER: 4 -- years after Martin Luther's posting of the Ninety-Five Theses that he was formally excommunicated from the Catholic Church.
TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Oct. 29) and last quarter (Nov. 6).