Today is the 301st day of 2012 and the 36th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1787, the first of the Federalist Papers appeared in a New York City newspaper.

In 1904, the first New York City subway line began operating.

In 1954, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio divorced.

In 2005, after three weeks of criticism, Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: James Cook (1728-1779), sea captain/explorer; Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), 26th U.S. president; Dylan Thomas (1914-1953), poet/playwright; Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997), artist; Ruby Dee (1924- ), actress; Sylvia Plath (1932-1963), poet; John Cleese (1939- ), actor/writer; Carrie Snodgress (1946-2004), actress; Fran Lebowitz (1950- ), columnist; Roberto Benigni (1952- ), director/actor; Matt Drudge (1966- ), journalist.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 2004, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series for the first time since 1918.

TODAY'S FACT: Along with the discovery of New Zealand, James Cook is known for keeping the crews of his ships remarkably healthy. Cook enforced a policy of cleanliness and diet to prevent scurvy.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." -- Theodore Roosevelt

TODAY'S NUMBER: 5 -- number of subway systems worldwide that carry more passengers than New York City's subway does (Tokyo, Moscow, Seoul, Shanghai and Beijing).

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

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).