Today is the 145th day of 2014 and the 67th day of spring.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia, with George Washington presiding.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced his plan to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

In 1977, the first "Star Wars" movie was released in American theaters.

In 2011, the final episode of Oprah Winfrey's long-running TV talk show aired.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), poet/essayist/philosopher; Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878-1949), dancer/actor; Gene Tunney (1897-1978), boxer; Robert Ludlum (1927-2001), author; Raymond Carver (1938-1988), author; Ian McKellen (1939- ), actor; Frank Oz (1944- ), puppeteer/film director; Mike Myers (1963- ), actor/comedian; Anne Heche (1969- ), actress; Miguel Tejada (1974- ), baseball player; Cillian Murphy (1976- ), actor; Brian Urlacher (1978- ), football player.

TODAY'S FACT: In 1986, an estimated 6.5 million people in the United States joined hands to form a human chain in support of the Hands Across America charity campaign. The event raised $34 million to combat hunger and homelessness.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1935, just a week before playing in his last major league game, Babe Ruth went 4-for-4 with three home runs, including his major league record 714th, in an 11-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Emerson in His Journals"

TODAY'S NUMBER: 4,561 -- episodes of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that aired during the celebrated daily talk show's 25-year run.

TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter moon (May 21) and new moon (May 28).

Today is the 144th day of 2014 and the 66th day of spring.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1844, Samuel Morse sent the first electrical telegraph message, "What Hath God Wrought," from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to an assistant in Baltimore.

In 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge opened in New York City.

In 1941, the German battleship Bismarck sunk the British battle cruiser HMS Hood, killing 1,500 crewmen.

In 1994, the four men convicted of the 1993 bombing of New York's World Trade Center were each sentenced to 240 years in prison.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Queen Victoria (1819-1901), British monarch; H.B. Reese (1879-1956), candy maker; Tommy Chong (1938- ), actor/comedian; Bob Dylan (1941- ), singer-songwriter; Patti LaBelle (1944- ), singer-songwriter; Priscilla Presley (1945- ), actress; Kristen Scott Thomas (1960- ), actress; Michael Chabon (1963- ), author; John C. Reilly (1965- ), actor; Mo Willems (1968- ), children's author; Joey Logano (1990- ), race car driver.

TODAY'S FACT: In 1864, a telegram containing the 16,543-word Nevada Constitution was sent from Carson City, Nev., to Washington, D.C. It is thought to be the longest telegram ever sent, at a cost of $4,303.27.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1964, a riot erupted at National Stadium in Lima, Peru, after a referee's call during a soccer match between Peru and Argentina. More than 300 fans were killed and more than 500 were injured.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "In the immemorial style of young men under pressure, they decided to lie down for a while and waste time." -- Michael Chabon, "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay"

TODAY'S NUMBER: 14,680 -- the total weight, in tons, of the Brooklyn Bridge.

TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter moon (May 21) and new moon (May 28).

Today is the 143rd day of 2014 and the 65th day of spring.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1788, South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

In 1846, Mexican President Mariano Paredes issued a manifesto unofficially declaring war on the United States.

In 1934, outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were fatally shot by police officers in Black Lake, Louisiana.

In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was established.

In 1960, a tsunami killed 61 people in Hilo, Hawaii.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778), botanist; Margaret Fuller (1810-1850), writer/feminist; Douglas Fairbanks (1883-1939), actor/filmmaker; Margaret Wise Brown (1910-1952), author; Artie Shaw (1910-2004), bandleader; Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002), singer/actress; Joan Collins (1933- ), actress/author; John Newcombe (1944- ), tennis player; Drew Carey (1958- ), comedian/TV personality; Melissa McBride (1965- ), actress; Jewel (1974- ), singer-songwriter.

TODAY'S FACT: The Hawaiian tsunami on this day in 1960 was triggered by a massive 8.5-magnitude earthquake off the Chilean coast that had killed thousands the day before.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1895, the Louisville Colonels forfeited a home game to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms in the third inning because they ran out of baseballs.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "The problem with beauty is that it's like being born rich and getting poorer." -- Joan Collins

TODAY'S NUMBER: 14 million -- copies of Margaret Wise Brown's "Goodnight Moon" sold worldwide since it was first published in 1947.

TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter moon (May 21) and new moon (May 28).