Today is the 251st day of 2012 and the 80th day of summer.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1822, Brazil declared independence from Portugal.

In 1927, inventor Philo T. Farnsworth transmitted the first image by electronic means, an innovation that would eventually enable broadcast television.

In 1979, cable sports network ESPN was launched. The first show it aired was "SportsCenter."

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603), British monarch; Grandma (Anna Mary) Moses (1860-1961), artist; Elia Kazan (1909-2003), director; Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000), artist; Buddy Holly (1936-1959), musician; Gloria Gaynor (1949- ), singer; Chrissie Hynde (1951- ), singer/songwriter; Julie Kavner (1950- ), actress; Evan Rachel Wood (1987- ), actress.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame was dedicated in Canton, Ohio.

TODAY'S FACT: Philo T. Farnsworth was the first to produce a televised image in 1927, but Vladimir Zworykin, who was developing the same technology for Westinghouse, was the first to obtain the patent.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England." -- Queen Elizabeth I

TODAY'S NUMBER: 205.7 million -- population of Brazil in 2012. The 2012 population of Portugal was 10.8 million.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Aug. 31) and last quarter (Sept. 8).

Today is the 250th day of 2012 and the 79th day of summer.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1522, Ferdinand Magellan's ship, Victoria, completed the first circumnavigation of the globe, though Magellan himself died en route.

In 1901, President William McKinley was shot and wounded by Leon Czolgosz. He died eight days later.

In 1997, funeral services were held for Diana, Princess of Wales.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Jane Addams (1860-1935), social worker; Joseph P. Kennedy (1888-1969), businessman/ambassador; Roger Waters (1943- ), rock musician; Jane Curtin (1947- ), actress/comedian; Jeff Foxworthy (1958- ), comedian/TV personality; Rosie Perez (1964- ), actress.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. played his 2,131st game, breaking Lou Gehrig's consecutive-games record.

TODAY'S FACT: More than 2.5 billion people worldwide were estimated to have watched at least part of Princess Diana's funeral services on television in 1997.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "I do not believe that women are better than men. We have not wrecked railroads, nor corrupted legislature, nor done many unholy things that men have done; but then we must remember that we have not had the chance." -- Jane Addams

TODAY'S NUMBER: 2,632 -- consecutive games Cal Ripken Jr. ultimately played before taking a game day off on Sept. 20, 1998.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Aug. 31) and last quarter (Sept. 8).

Today is the 249th day of 2012 and the 78th day of summer.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1774, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia.

In 1957, Jack Kerouac's "On the Road," a defining novel of the postwar generation, was published by Viking Press.

In 2005, President George W. Bush nominated John G. Roberts for chief justice of the United States.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Jesse James (1847-1882), legendary outlaw; Arthur Nielsen (1897-1980), market researcher; Darryl Zanuck (1902-1979), film producer; John Cage (1912-1992), composer; Bob Newhart (1929- ), comedian/actor; William Devane (1939- ), actor; Raquel Welch (1940- ), actress/model, Michael Keaton (1951- ), actor; Rose McGowan (1973-), actress.

TODAY'S SPORTS: At the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Palestinian terrorists took hostage and eventually killed 11 Israelis, including an Olympic wrestling coach and a weightlifter.

TODAY'S FACT: Jack Kerouac typed the manuscript of "On the Road" on a 120-foot-long scroll of paper.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "If two men on the same job agree all the time, then one is unnecessary. If they disagree all the time, then both are useless." -- Darryl Zanuck

TODAY'S NUMBER: 12 -- colonies represented at the First Continental Congress in 1774. Georgia declined to send delegates.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Aug. 31) and last quarter (Sept. 8).