Today is the 287th day of 2012 and the 22nd day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was ceremonially laid.

In 1845, Texas ratified a state constitution.

In 1943, Italy declared war on Germany, its former Axis ally.

In 1970, the People's Republic of China and Canada announced they would establish diplomatic relations, prompting Taiwan to break ties with Canada.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Lenny Bruce (1925-1966), comedian; Margaret Thatcher (1925- ), British prime minister; Melinda Dillon (1939- ), actress; Paul Simon (1941- ), singer/songwriter; Sammy Hagar (1947- ), musician; Marie Osmond (1959- ), singer/actress; Nancy Kerrigan (1969- ), figure skater, Sacha Baron Cohen (1971- ), comedian/actor; Ian Thorpe (1982- ), swimmer.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1998, the first two weeks of the upcoming NBA season were canceled due to a labor dispute.

TODAY'S FACT: The White House has 132 rooms, including three kitchens and 35 bathrooms.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "If you want something said, ask a man ... if you want something done, ask a woman." -- Margaret Thatcher

TODAY'S NUMBER: 1.34 billion -- population of the People's Republic of China, as of mid-2012.

TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter (Oct. 8) and new moon (Oct. 15).

Today is the 286th day of 2012 and the 20th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1492, explorer Christopher Columbus' expedition made landfall in the Bahamas.

In 1945, the Allied Control Council in Germany decreed that the Nazi political party be dissolved.

In 1960, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev interrupted a session of the U.N. General Assembly by banging his shoe on a table.

In 2000, a suicide bomb attack on the USS Cole in Yemen killed 17 sailors and wounded 39.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Dick Gregory (1932- ), comedian/author; Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007), opera singer; Tony Kubek (1935- ), broadcaster/baseball player; Chris Wallace (1947- ), TV journalist; Hugh Jackman (1968- ), actor; Kirk Cameron (1970- ), actor; Bode Miller (1977- ), Olympic skier; Josh Hutcherson (1992- ), actor.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1982, Paul Molitor had five hits in Game 1 of the World Series, helping the Milwaukee Brewers win 10-0 over the St. Louis Cardinals.

TODAY'S FACT: The United Nations Population Fund estimated that the world's population reached 7 billion at the end of October 2011, but according to U.S. Census Bureau demographers, that number was not reached until four months later.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Liberty, not communism, is the most contagious force in the world." -- Earl Warren

TODAY'S NUMBER: 5 -- medals track-and-field athlete Marion Jones was awarded in the 2000 Summer Olympics. All were returned in 2007, after she admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs.

TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter (Oct. 8) and new moon (Oct. 15).

Today is the 285th day of 2012 and the 20th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1779, Polish nobleman Casimir Pulaski died while fighting for American independence in the Revolutionary War.

In 1890, the Daughters of the American Revolution formed.

In 1975, William Jefferson Clinton and Hillary Diane Rodham were married.

In 1975, "Saturday Night Live" debuted on NBC.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), first lady/writer/diplomat; Elmore Leonard (1925- ), novelist; Steve Young (1961- ), football player; Joan Cusack (1962- ), actress; Jane Krakowski (1968- ), actress; Michelle Trachtenberg (1985- ), actress; Michelle Wie (1989- ), golfer.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1890, John Owens ran the first recorded 100-yard dash that broke 10 seconds.

TODAY'S FACT: Hillary Clinton was a member of Wal-Mart's board of directors for more than six years (1985-1992).

TODAY'S QUOTE: "At all times, day by day, we have to continue fighting for freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom from want -- for these are things that must be gained in peace as well as in war." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

TODAY'S NUMBER: 10 -- writing rules Elmore Leonard gave in a 2001 New York Times essay, later republished in book form. The first rule: "Never open a book with weather."

TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter (Oct. 8) and new moon (Oct. 15).