Today is the 358th day of 2012 and the third day of winter.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1783, George Washington resigned as commander in chief of the Continental Army.

In 1823, the poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" (better known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas") was first published anonymously in the Troy (N.Y.) Sentinel. The poem was later attributed to Clement C. Moore.

In 1986, the lightweight composite aircraft Voyager completed the first nonstop flight around the globe without refueling.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Joseph Smith (1805-1844), religious leader; Sarah Breedlove Walker (1867-1919), entrepreneur; Akihito (1933- ), emperor of Japan; Wesley Clark (1944- ), Army general; Harry Shearer (1943- ), actor/comedian; Susan Lucci (1946- ), actress; William Kristol (1952- ), political commentator; Eddie Vedder (1964- ), musician; Hanley Ramirez (1983- ), baseball player.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1972, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Oakland Raiders, 13-7, on a bizarre last-second touchdown that became known as the "Immaculate Reception."

TODAY'S FACT: In 2006, an original handwritten copy of "A Visit From St. Nicholas" sold in a private sale for $280,000.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Whether it's overt or covert, you pay enormous consequences for using force." -- Gen. Wesley Clark

TODAY'S NUMBER: 18 -- Daytime Emmy nominations Susan Lucci received before finally winning the award in 1999.

TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Dec. 20) and full moon (Dec. 28).

Today is the 357th day of 2012 and the second day of winter.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1864, Union Gen. William T. Sherman sent a message to President Abraham Lincoln that read, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah."

In 1990, Lech Walesa was sworn in as Poland's first directly elected president.

In 2001, the first cloned cat was born at Texas A&M University.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924), composer; Connie Mack (1862-1956), baseball manager; Peggy Ashcroft (1907-1991), actress; Lady Bird Johnson (1912-2007), first lady; Barbara Billingsley (1915-2010), actress; Steve Carlton (1944- ), baseball player; Diane Sawyer (1945- ), broadcaster; Ralph Fiennes (1962- ), actor; Jordin Sparks (1989- ), singer.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1971, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Baltimore Bullets 127-120, winning their 27th straight game and breaking the record for consecutive wins in professional sports.

TODAY'S FACT: The five Great Lakes hold about 21 percent of all the fresh water on Earth.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "He who puts out his hand to stop the wheel of history will have his fingers crushed." -- Lech Walesa

TODAY'S NUMBER: 33 -- games the Lakers extended their 1971 winning streak to before losing 120-104 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 7, 1972.

TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Dec. 20) and full moon (Dec. 28).

Today is the 356th day of 2012 and the first day of winter.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1620, the Pilgrims went ashore at Plymouth Rock, setting foot on North America for the first time.

In 1937, Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the first feature-length animated film, premiered.

In 1970, Elvis Presley met with President Richard Nixon at the White House.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), British prime minister; Jane Fonda (1937- ), actress; Frank Zappa (1940-1993), musician; Samuel L. Jackson (1948- ), actor; Chris Evert (1954- ), tennis player; Ray Romano (1957- ), actor/comedian; Florence Griffith Joyner (1959-1998), Olympic track athlete; Kiefer Sutherland (1966- ), actor; Philip Humber (1982- ), baseball player.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 2010, the University of Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team won its 89th consecutive game, setting a new Division I record for consecutive wins.

TODAY'S FACT: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," derided by Hollywood insiders as "Disney's Folly" while it was in production, cost Disney Studios an estimated $1.5 million to create. Walt Disney mortgaged his home to help cover the unanticipated expenses.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "I have done an in-depth study of drug abuse and Communist brainwashing techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing where I can and will do the most good." -- Elvis Presley, in a letter to President Nixon proposing that he could be an ally in the service of the country.

TODAY'S NUMBER: 41 -- adult male Pilgrims on the Mayflower who signed the Mayflower Compact before disembarking on Plymouth Rock.

TODAY'S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Dec. 20) and full moon (Dec. 28).