Today is the 288th day of 2014 and the 24th day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1917, infamous spy Mata Hari was executed by a firing squad outside Paris.

In 1951, "I Love Lucy," starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, premiered on CBS.

In 2003, China became the third nation (after the United States and Russia) to launch a manned space mission.

In 2005, Iraqi citizens voted to approve a new constitution.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), philosopher; P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975), author/humorist; Arthur Schlesinger Jr. (1917-2007), historian; Lee Iacocca (1924- ), business leader; Penny Marshall (1942- ), film director/actress; Jim Palmer (1945- ), baseball player; Sarah Ferguson (1959- ), Duchess of York; Emeril Lagasse (1959- ), chef/TV personality; Dominic West (1969- ), actor; Carlo Janka (1986- ), Olympic skier.

TODAY'S FACT: Confederate marine engineer H.L. Hunley died aboard a hand-powered submarine of his own invention when it sank during a test run on this day in 1863. The vessel was later raised and became the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel when it was used to attack the U.S.S. Housatonic in February 1864.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1989, Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings tied and broke Gordie Howe's NHL career scoring record of 1,850 points with an assist and a goal against the Edmonton Oilers. He went on to score the game-winning goal in overtime.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "And she's got brains enough for two, which is the exact quantity the girl who marries you will need." -- P.G. Wodehouse, "Mostly Sally"

TODAY'S NUMBER: 1,933 -- length (in miles) of the United States' border with Mexico, which is less than half as long as the United States-Canada border (3,987 miles, excluding Alaska).

TODAY'S MOON: Last quarter moon (Oct. 15).

Today is the 287th day of 2014 and the 23rd day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt was shot in the chest and went on to deliver a campaign speech in Milwaukee.

In 1926, A.A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh" was published.

In 1962, a U.S. reconnaissance plane photographed Soviet missile sites on the island of Cuba, setting off the Cuban Missile Crisis.

In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his civil rights leadership.

In 1994, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the Oslo accords.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), U.S. president/general; Lillian Gish (1893-1993), actress; e.e. cummings (1894-1962), poet; C. Everett Koop (1916-2013), U.S. surgeon general; Roger Moore (1927- ), actor; Ralph Lauren (1939- ), fashion designer; Joe Girardi (1964- ), baseball player/manager; Natalie Maines (1974- ), singer-songwriter; Usher (1978- ), singer-songwriter; Mia Wasikowska (1989- ), actress.

TODAY'S FACT: Eight Major League Baseball teams have never won a World Series: the Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1908, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Detroit Tigers 2-0 to win their second consecutive World Series. The Cubs have not won a World Series since.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "War is mankind's most tragic and stupid folly; to seek or advise its deliberate provocation is a black crime against all men." -- Dwight D. Eisenhower

TODAY'S NUMBER: 119,431 -- altitude (in feet) of Felix Baumgartner's record-setting vertical skydiving free fall during the Red Bull Stratos project, on this day in 2012. Baumgartner reached a maximum speed of 843.6 mph during his descent.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Oct. 8) and last quarter moon (Oct. 15).

Today is the 286th day of 2014 and the 22nd day of autumn.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was ceremonially laid.

In 1845, Texas ratified a state constitution.

In 1943, Italy declared war on Germany, its former Axis ally.

In 1970, the People's Republic of China and Canada announced they would establish diplomatic relations, prompting Taiwan to break ties with Canada.

In 2010, 33 miners who survived 69 days underground after a mining accident in Copiapo, Chile, were rescued.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Lenny Bruce (1925-1966), comedian; Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013), British prime minister; Paul Simon (1941- ), singer-songwriter; Jerry Jones (1942- ), Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager; Sammy Hagar (1947- ), singer-songwriter; Marie Osmond (1959- ), singer/actress; Ari Fleischer (1960- ), journalist; Jerry Rice (1962- ), football player; Kate Walsh (1967- ), actress; Nancy Kerrigan (1969- ), figure skater, Sacha Baron Cohen (1971- ), comedian/actor; Matt Hughes (1973- ), mixed martial artist; Paul Pierce (1977- ), basketball player.

TODAY'S FACT: The White House has 132 rooms, including three kitchens and 35 bathrooms.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1998, the first two weeks of the upcoming NBA season were canceled due to a labor dispute.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end." -- Margaret Thatcher

TODAY'S NUMBER: 1.36 billion -- population of the People's Republic of China, as of mid-2014.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Oct. 8) and last quarter moon (Oct. 15).