Today is the 300th day of 2012 and the 35th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1774, the first Continental Congress adjourned in Philadelphia.

In 1881, the legendary shootout between the Earps and the Clanton-McLaurys at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, left three men dead.

In 1972, national security adviser Henry Kissinger announced "peace is at hand" in Vietnam.

In 2001, President George W. Bush signed the anti-terrorism USA Patriot Act into law.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972), singer; Bob Hoskins (1942- ), actor; Pat Conroy (1945- ), novelist; Pat Sajak (1946- ), TV personality; Hillary Clinton (1947- ), secretary of state; Dylan McDermott (1961- ), actor; Cary Elwes (1962- ), actor; Natalie Merchant (1963- ), singer; Keith Urban (1967- ), singer; Seth MacFarlane (1973- ), writer/TV producer.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1997, the Florida Marlins became the youngest Major League Baseball franchise ever to win a World Series, earning the championship in their fifth year of existence. The 4-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks surpassed the Marlins' mark with a World Series win in 2001.

TODAY'S FACT: Florida is the flattest state in the United States. Its highest elevation is only 345 feet above sea level.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "You show people what you're willing to fight for when you fight your friends." -- Hillary Clinton

TODAY'S NUMBER: 2,500 -- weight (in pounds) of the "Wheel of Fortune" that is spun on its eponymous game show, hosted by Pat Sajak.

TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter (Oct. 21) and full moon (Oct. 29).

Today is the 299th day of 2012 and the 34th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1971, the U.N. General Assembly voted to admit the People's Republic of China as the country's "official" government, expelling Taiwan.

In 1983, U.S. troops invaded Grenada to overthrow a Marxist regime.

In 2002, Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota was killed in a plane crash, along with seven others, while campaigning in northern Minnesota.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), artist; Charles Coughlin (1891-1979), radio host/priest; Minnie Pearl (1912-1996), comedian; Bobby Thomson (1923-2010), baseball player; Marion Ross (1928- ), actress; Helen Reddy (1941- ), singer/songwriter; Anne Tyler (1941- ), novelist; Midori Goto (1971- ), violinist; Pedro Martinez (1971- ), baseball player; Zadie Smith (1975- ), novelist; Katy Perry (1984- ), singer.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1986, the New York Mets defeated the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of the World Series after a routine ground ball rolled between the legs of Boston first-baseman Bill Buckner, allowing the winning run and capping the Mets' 10th-inning, come-from-behind victory. The Mets won Game 7 the following night to earn the championship.

TODAY'S FACT: Picasso's final words reportedly were, "Drink to me."

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Show business is made up of disappointments, and it's through life's disappointments that you grow." -- Minnie Pearl

TODAY'S NUMBER: 162 -- weight (in tons) of the statue Pablo Picasso designed for the Daley Plaza in Chicago. It was unveiled in 1967.

TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter (Oct. 21) and full moon (Oct. 29).

Today is the 298th day of 2012 and the 33rd day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1940, the 40-hour workweek went into effect.

In 1987, the Teamsters union was readmitted to the AFL-CIO, 30 years after its expulsion.

In 2002, authorities arrested John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo in connection with Washington, D.C.-area sniper attacks.

In 2003, the last commercial Concorde flight was made.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879), writer/publisher; Bob Kane (1915-1998), cartoonist; Bill Wyman (1936- ), musician; F. Murray Abraham (1939- ), actor; Kevin Kline (1947- ), actor; B.D. Wong (1962- ), actor; Monica (1980- ), singer; Drake (1986- ), actor/rapper; Shenae Grimes (1989- ), actress.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1992, the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-3 to win World Series Game 6, becoming the first Canadian team to win the Major League Baseball championship.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Nothing will work unless you do." -- Maya Angelou

TODAY'S FACT: The minimum wage was 40 cents per hour in 1945.

TODAY'S NUMBER: 128 -- maximum number of passengers accommodated by Concorde supersonic planes.

TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter (Oct. 21) and full moon (Oct. 29).