Today is the 314th day of 2014 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, a human was conceived through in-vitro fertilization for the first time.
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; Richard Burton (1925-1984), actor; Ennio Morricone (1928- ), composer; Tim Rice (1944- ), lyricist; Les Miles (1953- ), football coach; Sinbad (1956- ), actor/comedian; Neil Gaiman (1960- ), author; Tracy Morgan (1968- ), actor/comedian; Ellen Pompeo (1969- ), actress; Walton Goggins (1971- ), actor; Brittany Murphy (1977-2009), actress; Miranda Lambert (1983- ), singer.
TODAY'S FACT: In 2013, the U.S.-China trade deficit was $318.7 billion.
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 QUOTE: "What I say is, a town isn't a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it's got a bookstore it knows it's not fooling a soul." -- Neil Gaiman, "American Gods"
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 full moon (Nov. 6) and last quarter moon (Nov. 14).