Today is the 315th day of 2012 and the 50th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1775, the Continental Congress created the U.S. Marine Corps.

In 1969, "Sesame Street" premiered on PBS.

In 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in a storm over Lake Superior, killing all 29 on board.

In 1977, the first human was conceived through in-vitro fertilization.

In 2001, China was approved for membership in the World Trade Organization.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Martin Luther (1483-1546), leader of the Protestant Reformation; William Hogarth (1697-1764), painter/engraver; Claude Rains (1889-1967), actor; Ennio Morricone (1928- ), composer; Tim Rice (1944- ), lyricist; Sinbad (1956- ), actor/comedian; Tracy Morgan (1968- ), comedian; Ellen Pompeo (1969- ), actress; Brittany Murphy (1977-2009), actress; Miranda Lambert (1983- ), singer.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1990, the NBA's Phoenix Suns scored a record 107 first-half points in their 173-143 win over the Denver Nuggets.

TODAY'S FACT: In 2011, the U.S.-China trade deficit was $295.4 billion.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." -- Martin Luther

TODAY'S NUMBER: 21 -- consecutive weeks Gordon Lightfoot's 1976 hit "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" spent on the pop charts, reaching No. 2 at its highest point.

TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter (Nov. 6) and new moon (Nov. 13).

Today is the 314th day of 2012 and the 49th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt became the first sitting president to make an official trip outside of the United States, to Panama.

In 1965, a massive blackout left much of the northeastern United States and Ontario, Canada, without power.

In 1989, the wall separating West Berlin from East Berlin and the rest of East Germany was opened.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806), astronomer; Elijah P. Lovejoy (1802-1837), abolitionist; Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883), writer; Hedy Lamarr (1913-2000), actress; Spiro Agnew (1918-1996), U.S. vice president; Anne Sexton (1928-1974), poet; Carl Sagan (1934-1996), astronomer/writer; Chris Jericho (1970- ), professional entertainment wrestler; Susan Tedeschi (1970- ), singer; Eric Dane (1972- ), actor.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1961, the Professional Golfers Association of America eliminated its rule limiting membership to Caucasians.

TODAY'S FACT: The 1965 power grid blackout left an area of 80,000 square miles, and at least 30 million people, without power.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterward. More than that no man is entitled to, and less than that no man shall have." -- Theodore Roosevelt

TODAY'S NUMBER: $56.4 million -- estimated earnings of PGA golf star Tiger Woods in 2012.

TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter (Nov. 6) and new moon (Nov. 13).

Today is the 313th day of 2012 and the 48th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1895, physicist Wilhelm Roentgen discovered X-rays.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected president of the United States, defeating Richard Nixon.

In 2002, the U.N. Security Council unanimously voted to give Iraq a "final opportunity" to disarm.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Edmond Halley (1656-1742), astronomer/mathematician; Bram Stoker (1847-1912), author; Margaret Mitchell (1900-1949), author; Christiaan Barnard (1922-2001), surgeon; Bonnie Raitt (1949- ), musician; Kazuo Ishiguro (1954- ), novelist; Gordon Ramsay (1966- ), chef; Parker Posey (1968- ), actress; Bucky Covington (1977- ), singer; Jessica Lowndes (1988- ), actress.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1966, Frank Robinson of the American League's Baltimore Orioles became the first person to win MVP honors from both baseball leagues. He had been named MVP in the National League in 1961 with the Cincinnati Reds.

TODAY'S FACT: The synthetic element roentgenium was named after Wilhelm Roentgen. It currently has no known uses.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names." -- John F. Kennedy

TODAY'S NUMBER: 43 -- age of John F. Kennedy when he was elected the youngest president in U.S. history.

TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter (Nov. 6) and new moon (Nov. 13).