Today is the 302nd day of 2012 and the 37th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1793, Eli Whitney applied for a patent on the cotton gin.

In 1886, Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.

In 1919, Congress overrode President Woodrow Wilson's veto of the Volstead Act, which provided for enforcement of alcohol prohibition.

In 2005, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, resigned following his indictment on charges related to the leaking of a CIA agent's name.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Evelyn Waugh (1903-1966), writer; Francis Bacon (1909-1992), artist; Jonas Salk (1914-1995), medical researcher; Charlie Daniels (1936- ), musician; Jane Alexander (1939- ), actress; Dennis Franz (1944- ), actor; Annie Potts (1952- ), actress; Bill Gates (1955- ), software pioneer; Andy Richter (1966- ), comedian/actor; Julia Roberts (1967- ), actress; Brad Paisley (1972- ), singer/songwriter; Joaquin Phoenix (1974- ), actor.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 2006, legendary Hall of Fame basketball coach Red Auerbach died.

TODAY'S FACT: The "gin" in "cotton gin" is short for "engine."

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." -- Bill Gates

TODAY'S NUMBER: 8 -- length (in feet) of the Statue of Liberty's index finger.

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

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).