Today is the 144th day of 2012 and the 65th day of spring.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1788, South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

In 1846, Mexico declared war on the United States.

In 1934, outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were fatally shot by police officers in Black Lake, La.

In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was established.

In 1960, a tsunami killed 61 people in Hilo, Hawaii.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778), botanist; Margaret Fuller (1810-1850), writer/feminist; Artie Shaw (1910-2004), bandleader; Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002), singer; John Newcombe (1944- ), tennis player; Drew Carey (1958- ), comedian/TV personality; Jewel (1974- ), singer.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1895, the Louisville Colonels forfeited a home game to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms in the third inning because they ran out of baseballs.

TODAY'S FACT: The Hawaiian tsunami on this day in 1960 was triggered by a massive earthquake off the Chilean coast that had killed thousands the day before.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Nature provides exceptions to every rule." -- Margaret Fuller

TODAY'S NUMBER: 794,300 -- police officers and detectives employed in the United States as of 2010.

TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (May 20) and first quarter (May 28).

Today is the 143rd day of 2012 and the 64th day of spring.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1807, former vice president Aaron Burr was indicted for treason.

In 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Truman Doctrine, which was intended to combat the spread of Communism.

In 1992, Johnny Carson signed off as the "Tonight Show" host for the last time.

In 2011, a tornado ripped through Joplin, Mo., claiming an estimated 162 lives.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Richard Wagner (1813-1883), composer; Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), artist; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930), writer; Laurence Olivier (1907-1989), actor/director; Charles Aznavour (1924- ), singer/songwriter/actor; Morrissey (1959- ), singer; Naomi Campbell (1970- ), fashion model; Ginnifer Goodwin (1978- ), actress; Apolo Ohno (1982- ), speed skater.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 2003, Annika Sorenstam became the first woman golfer since 1945 to officially compete against men at a PGA tour event.

TODAY'S FACT: A group of Confederate Army veterans formed the Ku Klux Klan in Pulaski, Tenn., in 1865.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." -- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

TODAY'S NUMBER: 73 -- electoral votes Aaron Burr received in the 1800 presidential election, which tied him with Thomas Jefferson. The House of Representatives cast the deciding votes, which made Jefferson president and Burr vice president.

TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (May 20) and first quarter (May 28).

Today is the 142nd day of 2012 and the 63rd day of spring.

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).