Today is the 142nd day of 2012 and the 63rd day of spring.
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TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1881, the American Red Cross was established.
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh successfully completed the first solo nonstop trans-Atlantic flight after 33.5 hours.
In 1979, former San Francisco city supervisor Dan White was convicted of manslaughter in the deaths of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Alexander Pope (1688-1744), poet; Henri Rousseau (1844-1910), artist; Fats Waller (1904-1943), pianist/songwriter; Raymond Burr (1917-1993), actor; Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989), physicist/Russian dissident; Al Franken (1951- ), politician/comedian; Laurence "Mr. T" Tureaud (1952- ), actor; Lisa Edelstein (1967- ), actress; Josh Hamilton (1981- ), baseball player.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1977, Seattle Slew won the Preakness Stakes horse race, the second victory in what would make his Triple Crown.
TODAY'S FACT: Within one month of the January 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, the American Red Cross had raised $255 million for the relief and recovery effort.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends." -- Alexander Pope
TODAY'S NUMBER: 55 -- hours Charles Lindbergh went without sleep for his historic trans-Atlantic flight.
TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (May 20) and first quarter (May 28).