Today is the 208th day of 2012 and the 37th day of summer.
TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1775, the Second Continental Congress established a postal system.
In 1947, President Truman signed the National Security Act, uniting the Army, Navy and Air Force under the Department of Defense and creating the National Security Council, Joint Chiefs of Staff and Central Intelligence Agency.
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), playwright/critic; Carl Jung (1875-1961), psychiatrist; Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), writer; Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999), film director; Mick Jagger (1943- ), singer; Helen Mirren (1945- ), actress; Kevin Spacey (1959- ), actor; Sandra Bullock (1964- ), actress; Jeremy Piven (1965- ), actor.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 2005, Chicago Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux became the 13th pitcher in major league history to strike out 3,000 batters.
TODAY'S FACT: Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" has the longest title of any film nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul." -- George Bernard Shaw
TODAY'S NUMBER: 9 -- Joint Chiefs of Staff chairmen (out of 18) who have been Army officers. Only one (Peter Pace, 2005-2007) was a Marine Corps officer.
TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter moon (July 26) and full moon (August 1).