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